Contrary To Law

The recent form chart reads 1-6-6-4-1-7 across the last six races, which means two wins mixed with a couple of placed finishes but also some well-beaten days. The win this week at Roscommon came after a sixth-place run six days earlier, so there is inconsistency here — the kind that makes a three-year-old hard to predict. But back-to-back wins (a first at Fairyhouse in July, then Roscommon in October) show this horse has the ability to strike twice and string together some momentum. It is still early in its career, and form at this age can jump around.

Trainer J. P. Murtagh, operating from Coolaghknock Glebe in County Kildare, has a strong operation: 53 winners from the yard this season speaks to a yard in good health, which matters. A trainer sending out winners regularly knows how to get a horse ready and place it wisely. Contrary To Law is actively racing — last out just a day ago — so the team believes there is more work to do and room for improvement. At the mile and seven-furlong trip, this horse has a clear, defined range where it competes well. The challenge now is stringing together consistency and proving the two wins were the start of something more meaningful than a flash in the pan.