Vesalius

The recent form makes for tough reading. Looking at the last six races — all blanks, with finishes of sixth, fifth, fifth, sixth, and third being the best of it — there's nothing to suggest a breakthrough is imminent. Vesalius has been doing most of its racing at Class 4 level, which sits in the middle of the racing ladder, and has drawn a blank in all five attempts at that grade. At some point, a horse needs to convert competitiveness into a win, and that moment hasn't arrived yet.

Vesalius runs out of the Upper Lambourn yard of Barry Brennan, a stable that has sent out six winners this season — so the operation clearly knows how to get horses to the track in winning form. Lambourn is one of Britain's most established training centres, surrounded by the downland gallops of Berkshire, and Brennan is part of a tight-knit training community there. The fact that the yard is producing winners elsewhere suggests the ingredients are in place — Vesalius just hasn't added to that tally yet. With the horse having raced as recently as yesterday, the yard are clearly keeping faith and keeping it busy. Sometimes that persistence is exactly what it takes.