Mao Shang Wong

The wins did come at decent moments. A debut victory at Newcastle back in March was followed by another at Beverley in May, suggesting the horse understood how to win. Yet when it steps up to Class 5 races — the higher level of competition — the record tells a harder story: zero wins from six attempts. At its best distance of between a mile and three furlongs and a mile and four furlongs, Mao Shang Wong has won 2 of 8 races, which is respectable, but those wins sit squarely in the past. Over the last six outings, the horse has posted a second-place finish and two thirds, but also managed a distant seventh and a thirteenth. That's inconsistency that suggests form is fragile right now.

David O'Meara's Upper Helmsley yard is one of the busier operations in Yorkshire — sending out 101 winners this season alone — so Mao Shang Wong will have company and expertise, at least. But for a horse that raced just a day ago and is still actively campaigned, the drought since May is notable. Without a win in the last six races, this is a horse that needs to rediscover something soon.