Shirakawa

Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton at her yard in Blewbury, Oxfordshire, Shirakawa is at least in good hands. Johnson Houghton's operation has sent out 42 winners already this season, which tells you this is a yard that knows how to get horses ready to perform. The fact that Shirakawa hasn't yet troubled the judge is not necessarily a reflection on the training — some horses simply take time to work things out, and a 3-year-old is still very much a young, developing athlete. Having raced just three days ago, the horse is clearly being kept busy, and the team will be looking for conditions or a race that suits a little better.

There is nothing here yet to shout about, but the season is not over, and with a capable yard behind it, Shirakawa will get every chance to put a number on the board.