Taaklam

That said, the form figures tell a more nuanced story than the bare win column suggests. Two thirds show a horse that is competitive and finding its feet, even if the final step to the top spot has so far proved elusive. The more recent runs — a fifth and an eighth — indicate it has had some tougher days too, so there is still some figuring out to do about where this horse is most comfortable.

Taaklam is trained by Harriet Bethell, based in Arnold, East Yorkshire. Bethell's yard has sent out 17 winners already this season, which tells you this is a trainer who knows how to get horses to perform when it matters. Having that kind of operation behind a horse that is still searching for its breakthrough is genuinely encouraging — the support structure is clearly there. Taaklam raced just yesterday, so it is very much in the thick of an active campaign, and at three years old there is plenty of time for the pieces to fall into place.