Valadero

The level at which Valadero competes tells its own story. Class 6 is the entry level of British racing — the races where horses go when they need easier opportunities to find a win. Valadero has had 19 shots at that level and come away empty-handed every time. The fact that the yard keeps running it there suggests they believe a win is possible, but 0 from 19 at the easiest available grade is a tough number to argue with.

Recent form gives little cause for optimism either. Over the last six races, Valadero's finishing positions read 8th, 7th, 6th, 10th, 5th, and 2nd — working backwards from the most recent. That second place is the closest call, but it was several runs ago, and since then the horse has been drifting further back. It last raced 76 days ago, which represents a short break, and Brian Toomey's yard at Chalfont St Giles has sent out 11 winners this season, so the operation clearly knows how to get horses ready to win. Whether Valadero can be one of them remains the question.

Regular jockey Callum Shepherd has partnered Valadero five times without a win between them. That is not a criticism of either horse or rider — some combinations simply haven't found the right race yet. But five attempts together with nothing to show for it adds another layer to a story that has become defined by near-misses and what-ifs. Valadero is not a bad horse — 12 places from 31 races proves it competes — it just hasn't found a way to win one yet.