Pyleates

Trained at Lambourn by the experienced partnership of William Muir and Chris Grassick — a yard that has sent out 20 winners already this season, so they clearly know how to get a horse ready to win — Pyleates competes at Class 5, which is the bread-and-butter level of British racing. It hasn't won in three attempts at that level, but the consistency of those placing finishes suggests this isn't a horse that's badly out of its depth. It's more like the nearly-man of its particular patch.

The interesting question hanging over Pyleates right now is whether the win is coming or whether this is simply a horse that runs honestly and finishes second a lot. Both types exist. The fact it raced just one day ago and keeps being pointed at races tells you the team believes there's a win in there somewhere. At some point the form figures have to turn into a result — and when they do, nobody who has followed this horse will be surprised.