Haas Boy

His best performances come over the longer distances, from a mile and three-quarters to two miles. Over that range he has won two of five races, a 40 percent win rate that is genuinely impressive and suggests he has found his ideal trip. By contrast, in the bulk of his races at Class 4 level — the bread-and-butter tier of British racing where most horses end their careers — he has won four of 19, which is 21 percent. That is respectable but unremarkable, the kind of record that keeps a horse busy and competitive without making him famous.

His most recent form is encouraging. In his last six races he has finished in the money four times: two wins, two seconds, and a sixth. That sixth-place finish came just over a week ago, yet he bounced back to win last time out, which shows some tenacity. His last victory came at Ascot on 29 March, seven months ago now — a step up in track prestige that suggests he is capable of winning where it matters, even if such days are few and far between.

Chester Williams trains him at George Nympton in Devon, and Harry Cobden has been his main partner in the saddle, partnering him in seven races and winning twice together at a healthy 29 percent rate. At nine years old, with five career wins already secured, Haas Boy belongs to that category of veteran racehorse who may never set the world alight but continues to repay his keep with occasional good days and consistent effort.