Treasure Rose

The recent form makes for interesting reading. In her last six races she has finished 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, and 2nd — a sequence that reads almost like a highlight reel of near misses. Four second-place finishes in six outings is the kind of record that would try the patience of anyone following her, but it also suggests she is a remarkably consistent performer. She is rarely out of contention, and she raced just one day ago, so she is very much in the thick of her season right now.

Her regular partner in the saddle is Ben Coen, who has ridden her five times without a win between them. That is a combination that clearly works in terms of producing competitive runs — the placings speak to that — but neither horse nor jockey has managed to convert those efforts into a victory yet. Whether the breakthrough comes together or separately remains to be seen.

Behind Treasure Rose is the yard of J P Murtagh, based at Coolaghknock Glebe in County Kildare. It is a stable in fine form this season, having sent out 54 winners already, which means the support and preparation she is getting is far from an issue. When a yard is operating at that level and a horse keeps running into the places, it suggests the racing has just not quite fallen her way — the right race, on the right day, with a clear run. For anyone following her, that first win feels like a matter of when rather than if.