Ballywood

Jockey Tabitha Worsley has stuck with him loyally, partnering Ballywood in 16 of his 17 races together without finding the winner's podium once. That kind of long-term partnership without a win is unusual, and it speaks to a horse that perhaps runs best when conditions fall perfectly in his favour. Trainer Georgie Howell, based at Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire, has been patient with him — though her yard has managed just one winner this season, so Ballywood's struggles are not entirely out of character with the current form of the stable.

What makes Ballywood genuinely interesting is the company he has apparently been aimed at. The quotes from previous trainers suggest this was once a horse with real ambitions — considered for Cheltenham's Grand Annual Chase and even mentioned in connection with the Arkle, one of the most prestigious races at the Festival. The fact that he was once discussed as a Cheltenham or Aintree horse, yet now competes at Class 5 level — the lowest tier of British racing — tells the story of a career that has slid a long way from those early hopes. At Class 5, he has run ten times without winning.

He raced just yesterday, so whatever comes next is still ahead of him. At 12, he is in the twilight of a racing career, and the window for that elusive first win is narrowing. He is not without ability — those five placed finishes prove he can be competitive — but Ballywood is the kind of horse who makes you wonder whether the win will ever come, or whether he will retire having given his backers plenty of near-misses and very little to celebrate.