Barrister

Two races in, Barrister has nothing in the win column and no placed finishes to show for it either. The most recent form figures — 7th and then 4th — tell a story of gradual improvement, which is about the most positive reading you can put on things. Coming home fourth last time out, just a day ago, at least suggests the horse is starting to find its feet and run more competitively. Whether that trajectory continues is the question worth watching.

At this stage, Barrister is essentially still learning the job. Three-year-olds often take time to figure out what racing actually asks of them, and finishing fourth from a yard with Hannon's firepower behind it is not necessarily cause for alarm. The team clearly believes there is something worth persisting with. Where Barrister goes next, and whether a more suitable opportunity unlocks something better, will tell us a great deal more about what kind of horse this actually is.