Zenford

Trained by J P Murtagh at Coolaghknock Glebe in County Kildare, Zenford is in capable hands. Murtagh's yard has sent out 54 winners already this season, which is the kind of output that tells you this is a serious, well-organised operation — not a small stable throwing horses at the wall and hoping. When a yard is firing at that rate, the horses that haven't won yet tend to be ones the team are managing carefully, rather than ones they've given up on.

What is interesting about Zenford specifically is the consistency. Finishing third three times and second once from four races suggests a horse that travels well through a race and competes honestly at the finish — it just needs something to click, whether that's the right race, the right ground, or simply a slightly weaker field. At three, there is still plenty of time. The question is whether Murtagh can find the right opportunity to turn all that placed form into a first win. Having raced just one day ago, Zenford is clearly fit and active, and that first win may not be far off.