Hopjes

The recent run of form does offer a sliver of encouragement. A third-place finish sits in there among the last six races, which suggests Hopjes is capable of mixing it with rivals at this level rather than simply making up the numbers. The Class 4 record — no wins from four races at that level — confirms this is a horse operating in the mid-tier of the sport, where fields are competitive and margins are tight. A win at this grade would be perfectly respectable; the challenge is simply finding the right day and the right race to make it happen.

The horse is trained by Harriet Dickin, whose small yard in Midford, Somerset has sent out four winners this season — a solid return for an operation of its size. Dickin is clearly capable of getting horses to win, which means Hopjes is not short of good professional guidance. With the horse having raced as recently as yesterday, this is very much a live campaign still in progress. Whether a breakthrough is coming is the question — but at six years old, there is still time on the clock.