Chemdawg

The encouraging sign in Chemdawg's recent form is his consistency. In his last six races, he has placed in five of them—a second, two thirds, and a fifth—suggesting he is a horse that turns up and runs his race without embarrassment. He rarely disgraces himself, which matters more than it sounds in a competitive sport. Trainer Oliver McKiernan, based at Rathcoole in County Dublin, has found the right trips for him: Chemdawg performs noticeably better over longer distances between one mile six furlongs and two miles, winning 1 of 9 races (11%) at those distances. He first broke his duck at Roscommon in May 2024 and has remained a useful tool in the yard's arsenal ever since.

Phillip Enright is his regular partner, though the partnership has been modest—one win from 17 races together—and Chemdawg remains a difficult ride to get the best from. Still, a horse that stays sound into his seventh year, continues to compete at the track level he races at, and puts in honest efforts most weeks is doing his job exactly as intended. He may never make headlines, but he is the kind of horse that gives a yard consistency and value.