Targa

That said, Targa is trained by one of the sharper operations in British racing. Archie Watson is based at Upper Lambourn in Berkshire, and his yard has fired out 62 winners already this season — that's a serious number, reflecting a team that knows how to get horses ready to perform. When a trainer of that quality keeps running a horse, it usually means they see something worth persevering with. Watson doesn't fill his racedays with no-hopers.

At two years old, Targa is still a work in progress. Horses this age are essentially teenagers being asked to compete as athletes — some take to it immediately, others need time and experience before it clicks. With four races banked and a run as recent as yesterday, Targa is clearly being kept busy, and that suggests the team believes the penny could drop at any moment. Whether it does will be the interesting question over the weeks ahead.