Thornaby Annie

That one victory came at Wetherby on 15 June, six weeks ago now. It was her first career win and it came at a track where she plainly belongs — she's raced there three times at the higher level of Class 5 racing without success, but that breakthrough at Wetherby feels significant for a horse who wins roughly once every twelve outings. The fact that she's still racing actively — last out just a day ago — and continues to place regularly tells you the trainer believes there is more to come.

Adrian Nicholls, who trains Thornaby Annie at his Sessay yard in North Yorkshire, has sent out eight winners already this season, so he's not working with a struggling operation. The evidence from her recent form is that Thornaby Annie is a genuine competitor at her level, a horse that earns her keep through consistency and the occasional prize. She may never be a stakes horse or a crowd favourite, but she's exactly the kind of dependable performer that racing depends on — one that turns up, tries hard, and every now and then reminds her the yard why they keep her in training.