Rajapour

David O'Meara's yard in North Yorkshire is one of the busier operations in Britain and has already sent out 101 winners this season, but Rajapour remains a minor figure in that portfolio. His real issue appears to be when trainers step him up in class. At the higher level — Class 4 races, where the competition sharpens — he has won none of his 12 attempts. Drop him back to easier races and he wins roughly 1 in every 7 attempts. He also shows a clear preference for middle distances between seven furlongs and a mile, winning two of his 13 races at that trip. Shorter or longer and he loses all his punch.

The frustration for those backing him is that jockey Mark Winn, his most frequent partner, has yet to find the answer. They have ridden together eight times without a win. But Rajapour is clearly still capable — he proved that at Redcar eight weeks ago — and on the right day, at the right track, in the right sort of race, he remains dangerous. He is a horse for those who know his patterns and have the patience to wait for his moments.