Pinot Rouge

His recent record is the real concern. One days ago he was back in action again, but a long spell of racing without a victory can wear on a horse's confidence and a trainer's patience. At Class 3 level—races that sit in the middle tier of the sport—Pinot Rouge has failed to win from 11 attempts. Trainer Jessica Bedi, based at Kirklevington in North Yorkshire, has saddled him many times without breakthrough success at that level. The yard itself is having a quiet season with only two winners sent out so far, which does little to suggest imminent improvement for this particular horse. His regular rider Nathan Moscrop has partnered him nine times without a single win, another reminder of the consistent underperformance that defines Pinot Rouge's record.

This is a horse who got his nose in front once and has been chasing that moment ever since. At eight, he is not young, but he is not yet pensioned off either. Whether Bedi and Moscrop believe another win is coming remains unclear, but the facts suggest Pinot Rouge is a horse destined to make up the numbers at the back end of races rather than trouble the judge.