Comanche Brave

The real story with Comanche Brave, though, is what happens when the distance suits. Over the shorter middle distances of 5 furlongs to 6 and a half furlongs, the horse is genuinely impressive, winning 4 of 6 races — a 67% win rate that stands out sharply against its overall record. This is the kind of statistic that matters to people who follow the horse seriously: it tells you exactly where to back it. The Curragh, too, has become something of a happy hunting ground. With 2 wins from 4 races at the track, Comanche Brave clearly handles the place, and that victory this week came after a two-year absence, suggesting the return has been successful.

Trainer Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, based at Ballyroe in County Tipperary, has built a productive season with 31 winners from the yard, and Comanche Brave sits within a strong team. The horse has been most often ridden by Gavin Ryan, though the partnership has yielded 2 wins from 7 races together — less impressive than the horse's overall record, which hints that a change of rider might occasionally bring out something extra. With a race just yesterday and fresh momentum behind it, Comanche Brave is a horse worth keeping an eye on in the right races at the right distances.