Noble Honour

The trainer, Mrs John Harrington, based at Moone in County Kildare, is clearly not losing sleep over those near-misses. Speaking earlier this year, she described Noble Honour as a very nice horse who showed plenty on her debut at Gowran Park last September, finishing second on day one. The explanation for that slow start to the season? She simply hadn't come into her coat yet — meaning she wasn't physically at her peak, which in horses often shows in their performance more than people expect. Now that she's blooming, Harrington believes she has the potential to progress, and the trainer has her pointed at some promising entries ahead.

It's worth paying attention when Mrs Harrington talks up a horse quietly. Her yard has sent out 58 winners already this season — a serious operation by any measure. That volume of success means she knows the difference between a horse filling out its career and one that's genuinely ready to step forward. Noble Honour, who raced just one day ago and remains in active training, fits into that second category in her trainer's eyes. The form figures of second, third, second suggest a horse that belongs on a racecourse; the question now is simply whether she can get her nose in front. Given the stability of her recent runs and the confidence behind the scenes, it probably won't be long before she does.