Al What

The recent form doesn't offer much encouragement either. Looking at the last six runs — finishing 11th, pulled up or unseated twice, 8th, pulled up again, 4th, and 9th — the highlights are thin on the ground. That fourth-place finish is the closest thing to a bright spot, suggesting there is at least some ability buried in there, but the horse has been well beaten more often than not and has had its share of rough outings along the way.

What keeps this interesting is the yard behind it. Noel Meade, training out of Castletown in County Meath, is one of Ireland's most experienced and respected handlers, and his team has sent out 42 winners already this season — that's a yard in serious form. When a trainer of that calibre keeps running a horse, it usually means they see something worth persisting with, even when the results don't yet reflect it. Al What raced just one day ago, so the team is clearly still actively searching for the right opportunity. Whether that patience eventually pays off is the open question — but with a trainer who wins races at this rate, it would be unwise to write the horse off entirely.