Isabella de Vega

The most encouraging sign is the trajectory of her recent form. After struggling to make an impact in her opening two races, where she finished down the field, she has now picked up consecutive places. For a young horse at this stage of her career, that kind of improvement is exactly what the yard want to see. She is trained by Ed Walker, whose yard at Upper Lambourn in Berkshire is a serious operation — they have sent 76 winners out this season alone, so she is in a stable with a strong track record of developing young talent. Whether Isabella de Vega can build on these latest efforts and convert a place into a win remains to be seen, but the recent form suggests she is heading in the right direction.