Jeddaal

Since that Chester victory, though, things have stalled. In his last six races he's picked up just one more win, along with a couple of places, but mostly disappointment. He raced just a day ago, so he's currently active and still hunting for the form that Ed Walker, his trainer at Upper Lambourn, believes is coming. Walker has spoken about how frustrating Jeddaal became before that first win, and how he expects the horse to improve as he tries longer distances — the trainer sees him as a progressive miler in the making. That's the kind of patience and optimism trainers invest in horses with potential rather than proven ability.

Where things get trickier is in the quality of his races. At Class 5 level — the lower rungs of British racing — Jeddaal hasn't won yet from three attempts, suggesting the step up in grade is real. He belongs among horses learning their trade, not yet among the better performers. But he's young enough that finding his level is still part of the process. Walker's yard has been prolific this season with 76 winners, so there's stable form behind him. Whether Jeddaal becomes the progressive horse his trainer hopes or remains a modest performer will likely depend on what happens when he gets the trip he seems to want.