Panthere Noir

The recent form makes for mixed reading. Looking at the last six races, the sequence reads 6-4-6-8-3-5 — that third-place finish is a bright spot in an otherwise unremarkable run of results, but the two sixth-place efforts and a disappointing eighth suggest a horse that blows hot and cold. Racing at Class 5, which is the entry level of the sport, Panthere Noir has managed no wins from five races at that level. In a sense, that is the most telling detail of all: this is already a horse competing at the easiest tier available, and it still hasn't broken through.

The one thing worth keeping in mind is that Panthere Noir raced just yesterday, so this is very much an active story. Luke Dace's yard has sent out six winners this season, which shows the operation is capable of finding the winner's enclosure — the question is whether Panthere Noir can be next. Three placed finishes from twelve races means the horse has finished in the top three roughly a quarter of the time, so it isn't without ability. Sometimes a horse just needs the right day, the right race, and a little luck. That first win is still out there somewhere.