Mr Writer

The recent form makes for fascinating reading. In the last six races, Mr Writer has finished second twice, fourth once, and sixth once, with two other mid-pack efforts filling the gaps. That pair of runner-up finishes are the telling detail — this is a horse that knows where the line is, it just keeps finding one too good on the day. There is a stubborn consistency to it, the kind that keeps trainers and fans alike wondering whether the breakthrough is one race away.

The horse is trained by James Fanshawe at Newmarket, one of the most famous training centres in Britain. Fanshawe's yard has sent out 47 winners already this season, which tells you this is not an operation that tolerates passengers — horses that keep running without winning tend to find their level quickly at a yard of this quality. The fact that Mr Writer is still active and still being campaigned, having raced as recently as yesterday, suggests the team believes there is a win in there somewhere.

Most of its racing has come at Class 4 level, which sits in the middle tier of British racing — competitive enough that you need genuine ability to place, but not the rarefied air of the top races. Going winless from three attempts at that level is not a crisis, but it does mean Mr Writer will need to find something extra to graduate from nearly-horse to winner. At just three years old, there is time. Whether the opportunity comes next week or next month, the form says it will be close.