Clear Quartz

Where Clear Quartz shows real character is in its preferences. The horse comes alive on soft, muddy ground, winning one in every three races (2 from 6) when the track is waterlogged — a telling advantage in a wet country. It also performs significantly better over middle distances of 1m1f to 1m2f (winning 4 of 14 races, roughly 29%), suggesting it needs a trip long enough to settle and get a rhythm. Most striking is its dominance at Galway, where it has won 3 of its 13 races — a course specialist's record that sets it apart from its overall form.

The worry is timing. Clear Quartz hasn't won since Roscommon on September 1st last year — a full twelve months of attempting without success. In its last six races, the horse has managed only one place, most recently finishing out of the prize money eight days ago. At nine years old and without a winner in over a year, the window for this horse to add to its tally is narrowing, though on the right ground, at the right distance, and back at Galway, a fifth career win is not beyond reach.