Bahtiyar

The recent form actually reads quite encouragingly on the surface — second, third, third, second, fourth, fourth in the last six runs, working back from the most recent. Bahtiyar raced just yesterday and is clearly a horse in regular work. The problem is that "nearly" keeps showing up like a bad penny. Finishing second or third repeatedly tells you the horse is good enough to be in the mix, just not quite good enough — or perhaps not quite lucky enough — to win.

Most of those races, 20 out of 30, have come at Class 5 level, which is the entry level of British racing. These are the races designed for horses who haven't won much, or at all. The fact that Bahtiyar has gone 0 from 20 at that level suggests this is exactly the right company and yet still can't quite get over the line. Mr Ben Sutton, who rides most often, has had seven attempts without a winner, which is a tough run for any partnership.

Trainer Max Young operates out of Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire, a small yard that has sent out just one winner so far this season. This isn't a powerhouse operation throwing resources at a problem — it's a modest setup, and Bahtiyar is very much a horse that reflects that world: honest, busy, and perpetually just short. At some point you have to tip your hat to a horse that keeps turning up, keeps getting placed, and keeps giving the yard — sorry, keeps giving the team — something to cheer about, even if the winner's enclosure remains out of reach.