Evelyn

The recent form figures tell a similar story. Reading from the most recent race backwards — 8th, 11th, 6th, 3rd, 7th, 10th — there is the occasional flash of promise, like that third-place finish, but it is surrounded by more difficult days. Finishing 11th in a race is not a minor setback; it means most of the field got home ahead of Evelyn. The 6th is respectable, but in racing, respectable does not pay. A horse that has not won in any of its last six races is one that its rivals have consistently found a way past.

Evelyn is also returning from a break of roughly three months, which adds another layer of uncertainty. Time off can occasionally spark improvement — a fresher horse, perhaps a different approach from the yard — but it can equally mean a horse that needs a run or two just to find its rhythm again. Mrs Cashin's yard has sent out just one winner this season, so this is a small operation rather than a powerhouse stable, and expectations should probably be kept in check. What to watch for on Evelyn's return is simple: any sign that the finishing position is creeping forward rather than backward.