Genbu

What marks Genbu out is his preference for certain conditions and distances. On normal ground, he wins roughly 1 in every 8 races, and over the longer trips between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, he wins about 1 in every 9 — those are meaningful strike rates for a horse of his level. At Class 4 races, where most of his efforts come, he also wins about 1 in 8. The picture this paints is of a horse who is competitive in his sphere, someone who can win again, but only on the right day and in the right circumstances.

Davies, who trains from Leominster in Herefordshire, has identified one potential pitfall. At Wetherby, he tried a tongue-tie to manage Genbu's keenness, and it misfired — he jumped poorly and was less effective than when allowed to settle himself and make the running, as he did at Sedgefield. That kind of detail matters in racing. Small adjustments in equipment or tactics can help or hinder, and finding what works takes time. With his last run just a day old, Genbu remains active and in work. He has not won in his last six outings, but horses like him — midfield competitors with occasional bright days — are the backbone of racing. He will win again, just not often.