Dessie Haze

The recent form tells a similar story. Over the last six races, Dessie Haze has finished sixth, seventh, fourth, third, seventh, and fourth — competitive enough on the better days to suggest the ability is somewhere in there, but never close enough to the front to threaten a breakthrough. That third-place finish is the closest thing to a highlight, and at the level Dessie Haze typically competes — a step below the top tier, where the fields are deep and every race is hard-fought — even making the frame occasionally takes some doing.

Jockey Conor Ring has partnered the horse in six of those eight races and is still waiting for his first win aboard, which at least suggests the pair are a settled combination even if the results have not come. Raced as recently as 12 days ago, Dessie Haze is clearly fit and active, and at eight years old, time is not exactly on its side. But horses have surprised people before, and every race is a fresh chance to rewrite the story.