Captain Ciano

The recent form is much the same. Over his last six races, his best result was a second place, which came at some point in that run; otherwise, the results have been scattered finishes that suggest inconsistency. He raced just a day ago, so he is active and being given regular opportunities. The partnership with jockey James Ryan has seen seven rides together without a win, though places have come along the way — a familiar pattern with this horse of running well enough to collect some prize money but never quite finding that elusive victory.

He is trained by T G McCourt at Stamullen in County Meath, a yard that has been in winning form this season with 13 winners to its name. That suggests the trainer has a handle on what works, and that Captain Ciano, despite his blank record, is considered worth persisting with. At four years old and still actively racing, there is time yet — but the facts say he is a horse that runs respectably, finishes in the frame often enough, but cannot quite seal the deal.