Monsieur Le Fuzz

What makes that Ayr win worth noting is that it has not been repeated since — and it has now been 14 months. His last six runs make for uncomfortable reading: a blank, then eighth, second, tenth, sixth, and fourth, with a race yesterday adding to the sequence. The second place shows he can get close, but the tenth tells a more familiar story. Consistency has been the missing ingredient throughout his career.

The level he competes at adds another layer of context. Monsieur Le Fuzz typically runs in Class 4 races — solid, mid-tier competition — and has yet to win at that level from seven attempts. That is a sobering record. It suggests the Ayr win may have come in slightly softer company, and that stepping up to hold his own at Class 4 has proven a tougher ask than expected.

He is ridden most regularly by Ross Chapman, who has been in the saddle for six of his races and partnered him for his one career win. That shared history counts for something — Chapman knows how the horse travels and where he tends to find his rhythm. The yard behind him, trained by Rebecca Menzies in County Durham, has been in decent form this season with 36 winners, so it is not a case of a struggling operation. Menzies clearly knows how to place a horse to win — finding the right opportunity for Monsieur Le Fuzz again will be the challenge.

At seven, he is no youngster, and the clock is ticking on his chances of adding to that tally. But he is still active, still being pointed at races, and the Menzies yard clearly believes there is another day in the sun waiting somewhere. Whether it comes at Ayr again — the scene of his finest hour — or somewhere new, supporters will be hoping the wait does not stretch much longer.