Caoch The Piper

The recent form figures tell an interesting story. A sixth on its most recent outing, a missing result in between, and a ninth before that — not eye-catching numbers, but for a young horse still learning the job, finishing races and gaining experience is genuinely valuable at this stage. It ran just yesterday, which suggests it is fit, active, and being kept busy by the yard.

That yard is Andrew Slattery's operation in Thurles, County Tipperary, and it is worth paying attention to the name. Slattery's team has sent out 62 winners already this season — that is a seriously productive yard, and horses trained there tend to be well-prepared and given proper opportunities. The fact that Caoch The Piper is being kept in regular work suggests the team believes there is more to come. Whether this young horse can repay that faith is the question worth watching.