The frustrating flip side, of course, is that zero wins from four races is zero wins from four races. Finishing second twice and third twice earns prize money and proves the horse belongs in the conversation — but horse racing only really remembers the winner. At some point, El Nay needs to stop being the runner-up and start being the one everyone else is chasing.
What works in the horse's favour is where it's trained. Richard Hannon's yard at Herridge in Wiltshire is one of the most productive operations in Britain right now — 118 winners already this season is a seriously impressive number, reflecting a setup that knows how to place horses well and find the right races at the right time. With that kind of firepower behind it, you'd expect El Nay to be pointed at a race it can win rather than simply placed to fill out a field. The team clearly believe in the horse, and the form figures suggest their faith isn't misplaced.
Having raced just yesterday, El Nay is very much in the thick of its campaign. The pieces are in place — consistent form, a powerful trainer, and a horse that clearly tries hard every time it lines up. The first win feels close. Whether it actually arrives is, as ever in
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempton Park Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 18 Mar | 0% |
| Chester Tight |
1 | 1 second | 6 May | 0% |
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 21 Feb | 0% |
| Chepstow Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 29 May | 0% |