Baggot Street

The recent form doesn't offer much encouragement. Over the last six races, Baggot Street has finished fifth twice, fourth twice, third once, and fifth again — consistently there or thereabouts, but consistently not quite enough. There's a pattern of running into the frame without ever threatening to take the thing. At Class 5, which is the entry-level tier of British racing, the horse has gone 0 from 7. That's the bread-and-butter grade where young horses are expected to eventually break through, and Baggot Street hasn't managed it yet.

One thing that adds a layer of intrigue is the yard behind it. Charlie Johnston trains out of Middleham Moor in North Yorkshire, and his operation has sent out 129 winners already this season — that's a yard firing on all cylinders, not one running horses for the sake of it. Johnston knows what he's doing, and the fact that Baggot Street is still in training and still being campaigned suggests there's belief this horse can deliver something. Whether that belief is well-placed remains to be seen.

It's also worth noting that Baggot Street hasn't raced in roughly three months, which is a meaningful gap for a two-year-old mid-season. Coming back fresh can sometimes sharpen a horse up — a change of conditions, a different track, a little extra time to develop physically. At two, horses can improve quickly, and a lot can change between outings. Whether that break proves to be the turning point is the real question when Baggot Street next lines up. Right now, it's a horse with everything still to prove.