Ballintogher

What makes the layoff significant is the recent form leading into it. The horse's last six races tell a story of mixed fortunes: a win, followed by two fifth-place finishes, a second, a third, and a sixth. There is nothing here to suggest a horse finding its feet or climbing towards something better — just the standard ups and downs of a young horse still learning its trade. The partnership with regular rider Ronan Whelan, who has been aboard for five of those six races, has yielded no victories together despite the November win coming under different circumstances.

Trainer Daniel James Murphy, based at the Curragh, has a yard in good form this season with 19 winners already sent out, so Ballintogher will return to racing with a team that knows how to get horses ready. The return after such a long break will be a gentle test for a horse that has shown promise but remains some way from becoming a consistent winner.