Little Soiree

Those moments have come closest at distances between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, where she has won 1 from 6 races — about one in every six attempts at that trip. That's a meaningful improvement on her overall record and suggests she at least has a preferred setting, even if it doesn't translate into victories often. Trainer Olly Williams, based at Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, has been searching for exactly the right race to bring the best out of her — specifically a 0-100 class race over two miles on decent ground. Earlier this year he was left frustrated after she was beaten by a head at Plumpton, collared right on the line after making a mistake at the last fence. A head, after a jumping error — that's the kind of near-miss that stays with a yard.

Jockey Rex Dingle has partnered her six times without a win, which mirrors her general record rather than suggesting any particular mismatch. The Olly Williams yard has sent out one winner this season, so resources are modest and every decent run matters. Little Soiree raced just one day ago and remains active, which at least shows she is sound and in work. Whether that Huntingdon win in May marks the start of something or remains a rare high point in a long, honest career is the question her team will be hoping to answer.