Hakin Adraar

Trained by Martin Dunne at Newmarket in Suffolk, Hakin Adraar is at least in capable hands. Dunne's yard has sent out 20 winners already this season, which shows this is an operation that knows how to get horses winning. The challenge now is finding the right opportunity for Hakin Adraar to join that tally. Those two fourth-place finishes suggest the ability is somewhere in there — a horse finishing fourth isn't disgracing itself — but there's clearly a gap between running respectably and getting to the front when it matters.

At three years old, there is still time. Horses this age are often still developing, and plenty have started slow before finding their level. But seven races without a win is a reminder that racing doesn't hand out victories — you have to earn them. For now, Hakin Adraar remains one of those horses that keeps turning up and keeps keeping the yard hopeful, without quite delivering the result the team is looking for.