After The Ball

That said, context matters here. After The Ball is trained by Donald McCain at his yard in Cholmondeley, Cheshire, and that operation is in seriously good form right now — 55 winners sent out this season alone. McCain is one of the most experienced jumping trainers in the country, and a horse sitting in his string isn't there by accident. The yard clearly believes there is something worth finding in After The Ball, even if it hasn't shown itself in public yet.

With only four races to its name, this is still a horse that could surprise. Some horses take time to work out what they're doing, and the fact it raced just one day ago suggests the team is keeping it busy, looking for the right opportunity to click. Whether that moment comes soon is the question — but with a trainer pumping out winners at this rate, if there's ability there, McCain is well placed to find it.