Jirko

The recent form tells an interesting story. Look at the last six outings and you see a horse that has barely put a foot wrong: second once, third three times, and only two blank runs in the mix. That run of placings is actually encouraging in a strange way — this is not a horse that is struggling or finishing at the back. It is a horse finishing second and third, which means it is competitive, just not quite sharp enough at the crucial moment. For punters and supporters, that is both hopeful and quietly maddening.

Jirko typically races at Class 5 level, which is the bread-and-butter tier of British racing — the kind of races where horses are evenly matched and winning margins are small. Six races at that level without a win (0 from 6) is worth noting, though it is hard to call it a failure when the placings keep coming. Regular partner Bruce Lynn has been in the saddle for seven of those twelve races, and the pair have yet to find the winner's circle together, but the consistency in their recent outings suggests a partnership that knows each other well.

The yard behind Jirko belongs to N W Alexander, based up in Leslie, Fife — a Scottish operation that has sent out 19 winners this season, so this is clearly a trainer who knows how to get horses ready to win. The fact that Jirko is still active — racing as recently as yesterday — shows the team believes there is still a race to be won here. At seven, Jirko is not young, but horses can and do break their duck at this age. The pieces are there. The question is simply when.