Mr King

His most recent victory came two months ago at Thirsk on 16 June, but his form since has been patchy. In his last six races he has finished fifth, eighth, first, seventh, sixth and sixteenth — a scatter of results that suggests inconsistency rather than decline. He raced just yesterday, so he is clearly an active part of his trainer Geoffrey Harker's yard at Thirkleby in North Yorkshire, which has sent out five winners already this season.

Harker sees something worth preserving in Mr King. Speaking about the horse's prospects, he acknowledged the ups and downs of the season but described him as a "nice horse" capable of producing a decent run at his level. The trainer plans to send him back to Ayr for the mile race there where he finished third last year — a sign that Harker believes Mr King has unfinished business on certain tracks. Interestingly, his regular jockey Colin Keane has yet to win aboard him from six rides together, though that may say more about circumstance than ability. For now, Mr King remains what he has always been: a consistent campaigner without quite hitting the heights, the sort of horse whose supporters appreciate the frame finishes and occasional wins rather than expecting fireworks.