Vivacious Lady

Ronan Whelan has partnered her six times now and the pair have yet to get their heads in front together, making it a losing partnership on paper even if the riding relationship has clearly been given time to develop. That level of consistency with one jockey suggests the yard at least believes in finding the right combination — it just hasn't clicked yet. Trainer Tracey Collins operates out of The Curragh in Co Kildare, one of the heartlands of Irish racing, and has sent out four winners already this season, so the stable is clearly capable of getting horses to win. Vivacious Lady, so far, has not been one of them.

What makes her situation worth watching rather than writing off is that she raced just one day ago, meaning she is very much an active runner. Horses do sometimes find their moment after long waits — it only takes one race, on the right day, on the right ground, in the right company. But she will need to show something significantly different from her recent efforts to suggest that day is coming soon. For now, she is the kind of horse that keeps a trainer thinking and a faithful follower patient.