Cappucino

The two wins tell a neat little story on their own. The first came at Listowel in September 2024, then Cappucino followed it up just three weeks later at Punchestown in October — suggesting that first victory loosened something, as horses sometimes do when they finally get their head in front. Since then, though, the winning thread has gone quiet. That Punchestown success is now 21 months in the rear-view mirror, and the last six races have brought a second place, a couple of mid-pack finishes, and two blank runs in between. The form isn't collapsing — that second place shows it's still competing — but the winner's enclosure has stayed out of reach.

Sean Flanagan is the regular partner, up for 10 of those 21 races and on board for 1 of the 2 wins — a 10% win rate together, so 1 win from every 10 times they've teamed up. Trainer Liz Doyle runs a small yard out of Crossabeg in County Wexford, and with 4 winners on the board this season, things are ticking along. A yard that size doesn't carry huge numbers, so every winner counts.

What's notable right now is that Cappucino raced just one day ago, which means this is a horse in the thick of its campaign. Whether yesterday's run signals another tilt at a win or was a stepping stone to something else, the yard clearly has it fit and ready. For a horse that found the knack of winning twice in quick succession not so long ago, the question is simply whether that spark is still there to be found.