Hooves Your Daddy

That second-place finish is worth noting. Getting beaten rather than finishing midfield at least suggests there is some ability in there, and a horse that can run into the frame is rarely without hope. But with 10 races now on the clock and no wins to show for it, the question is whether a breakthrough is coming or whether this is simply a horse finding its level.

Hooves Your Daddy is trained by J P Fahey out of Monasteravin in County Kildare, a yard that has sent out three winners already this season. Having raced as recently as yesterday, the horse is clearly in active campaign, and the yard will be hoping the pieces fall into place sooner rather than later. For a three-year-old, there is still time — but the clock is ticking.