Manhattan Valley

The most recent form figures — 3-8-–-8-9-11 — show that third place as a genuine bright spot, but the pattern since then has been one of gradually fading further back in the field. Racing mostly at Class 4 level, which sits in the middle tier of British racing rather than at the very top or very bottom, Manhattan Valley has gone 0 from 4 at that grade. Winning 0 from 6 overall by the age of six is a tough statistical reality — most horses that are going to win have done so well before now.

What gives the picture a more optimistic frame is where the horse is trained. Christian Williams operates out of Ogmore-By-Sea in Glamorgan and has sent out 25 winners already this season, which suggests a yard in decent form and capable of getting horses to perform. A trainer sending out that volume of winners is not sending out also-rans for the fun of it — Manhattan Valley's continued appearances suggest the team believes there is a race to be won somewhere. With the horse having raced just one day ago, it is clearly fit and active, and the search goes on.