Unionville

The recent form figures — 8, 8, 7 in the last three runs — suggest a horse that has been finding life considerably harder since that February breakthrough. Whether the competition has stepped up, conditions haven't suited, or Unionville simply hasn't recaptured that day's spark, things have clearly not clicked since. It's now been five months since that win, which is a long time for a young horse still trying to establish itself.

The trainer is Michael Attwater, based in Epsom, Surrey — a yard that has sent out 27 winners this season, which tells you this is a functioning, productive operation that knows how to get horses to win races. Attwater will be well aware that Unionville needs to rediscover something close to that February form if the horse is going to build on that single career victory. With the horse having raced just one day ago, things are moving quickly — and the next few runs will say a great deal about whether Unionville is a horse on a temporary dip or one still searching for its level.