Lily Milan

That said, her recent form numbers tell a slightly more nuanced story. Finishing fourth three times in a row suggests she is no longer trailing in at the back of the field — she is getting competitive, just not quite competitive enough. A fifth and then an eighth either side of those fourths show some inconsistency, but the cluster of fourth-place finishes is at least a sign that she is running somewhere near the front of her races. Whether she can convert that into an actual placing — let alone a win — remains to be seen.

She raced just ten days ago and is still active, which means her team clearly believe there is something to work with. Her trainer Paul Stephen Kiely has sent out three winners this season, so the yard is not without its moments. For Lily Milan, the hope will be that a small drop in the level of competition, or the right conditions on the right day, finally gets her head in front — or at the very least, into the frame for the first time.