Alphonsus Liguori

The horse made a winning debut at Killarney on 12 May, then went through a spell where he picked up minor placings but couldn't quite close the deal. His second win came at Cork on 24 July, and he has now won two of his last four races. The pattern of his recent form — a second place, then a win, then two placings in quick succession — shows a horse learning his trade and being raced regularly. That last race a day ago will tell us whether he is still on an upward curve or whether the yard is testing him against stiffer opposition. Either way, at three years old with a 50 per cent win rate, Alphonsus Liguori is exactly the kind of young horse that could develop into something considerable if the right races come up at the right time.