Carry The Flag

The recent form tells an interesting story. Reading from most recent to oldest — a win, a ninth, a second, a win, a second — there is one blip surrounded by a string of excellent performances. That ninth-place finish stands out like a blemish on an otherwise clean sheet, but Carry The Flag responded the right way: it came straight back and won. The most recent of those victories came at Naas just this week, which means this horse is in the form of its young life right now.

Normal ground conditions suit it perfectly. On a standard surface, Carry The Flag has won 2 of its 3 races — that is a two-thirds success rate, which for any horse at any age would be impressive. For a two-year-old still learning the ropes, it is exceptional.

Behind the horse sits one of the most powerful operations in the sport. Trainer A P O'Brien, based at Cashel in County Tipperary, has already sent out 125 winners this season alone. To put that in perspective, most trainers consider 20 or 30 winners a strong year. When a horse earns a place in that yard, it is already in elite company — and when it wins for them, it means something. Carry The Flag has done that twice.

First career win at Naas in May, another at the same track in July — there may already be the beginnings of a favourite venue developing. Carry The Flag is a horse worth watching closely. It is young, it is in form, and it raced just yesterday. Whatever comes next, it arrives with momentum.