Cameclose

That said, the recent form has at least shown some signs of life. A second-place finish is the most recent result we have on record, and that came after a string of mid-field efforts — nines and eights — which suggested the horse was struggling to find its best. Whether that placed run signals a genuine step forward or just a fortunate day is the question the next few races will start to answer.

Cameclose is trained by J Davison out of Dunboyne in County Meath, a yard that has sent out eight winners this season — so there is clearly ability in the stable to get horses winning. The fact that this particular horse hasn't broken through yet doesn't mean the team has given up on it; three-year-olds can take time to find their feet, and some horses simply need more racing before things click. Still, at seven races without a win, patience is being tested. The next run will be one to watch — not because a win looks certain, but because you start to learn a lot about a horse when it keeps getting beaten.