Sonny Corleone

What makes the picture more interesting is who is doing the training. Gordon Elliott's yard at Longwood in Co Meath is one of the most powerful operations in jump racing, and this season alone they have sent out 210 winners — that is the kind of firepower that means horses are rarely kept in training without a plan. Elliott has a well-earned reputation for being patient with young horses, placing them carefully until they find their level and start to repay the faith. Sonny Corleone is only three, which in horse terms means there is plenty of time, and the small uptick from tenth to two fourth-place finishes hints at a horse that is at least learning on the job.

He raced just yesterday, so whatever comes next is clearly close. The results so far have been modest, but sitting in one of the sport's best yards at a young age means it would be too soon to write him off entirely.