Damzon

What makes Damzon worth watching, however, is the hint of improvement in her recent form. Her last six runs read 8-3-4-1-5, meaning she has picked up a couple of placings in the past few weeks — most notably a third place just days ago. She also shows a clear preference for longer distances, performing best over 1m6f to 2m, where she has won at a rate of 1 in 12 races (8%) rather than her career average of 1 in 23 (4%). That is still a low win rate, but it suggests that when the track suits and the trip is right, Damzon has a better chance than her overall numbers suggest.

Trainer Tony Carroll's Cropthorne yard has had an excellent season with 136 winners, so Damzon is in an operation that knows how to get horses to the track in the right condition. Regular jockey Ben Poste has yet to ride him to victory in six attempts, which raises the question of whether a change in tactics or personnel might help — though with such limited raw material to work with, Damzon will likely remain a horse chasing that elusive second win rather than threatening any stakes races. Still, for a seven-year-old still racing and capable of placing regularly, there is life in her yet.