Thora

What works in her favour is the yard behind her. Kevin Ryan's operation at Hambleton in North Yorkshire is one of the busiest and most productive in the north of England, and 45 winners in a single season is a serious number — that kind of output means horses are being placed well and the team knows what it is doing. A yard firing at that rate does not tend to give up on a young horse after two quiet runs; if there is ability there, they will find the right opportunity to show it.

At three years old, Thora is still very much a work in progress. Two races is barely an introduction to the sport, and horses of her age can improve dramatically as they fill out physically and learn their job. The jump from thirteenth to fifth is at least a sign that something is clicking. Whether she can take another step forward next time out is the question worth watching.