Divelment

The recent run of form tells its own tale. Two third-place finishes sandwiched in among less impressive efforts suggest a horse that shows up on its day without fully delivering, which is either a horse still finding its feet or one that genuinely needs everything to fall just right. Jockey James Ryan has been the regular partner for most of that journey, riding Divelment in 8 of its 11 races without a win to show for it. That is a long run together without a breakthrough, and at some point the question becomes whether the partnership simply hasn't clicked or whether the right race just hasn't come along yet.

Trainer William Durkan operates out of Sandyford in County Dublin and is clearly capable of getting horses to win — 15 winners from the yard this season is a solid return and shows this is not an outfit that struggles to find the target. That makes Divelment one of the yard's ongoing projects rather than a reflection of any wider problem. Durkan will know this horse better than anyone, and the fact that it keeps running suggests there is still belief that a win is coming. Divelment raced just one day ago, so whatever happens next is likely not far away.