Eyeeye

The recent form tells a familiar story. A second place from the last six runs is the highlight, sandwiched between a string of mid-field finishes and a blank — that dash in the sequence meaning it either didn't finish or the result wasn't recorded. The horse raced just yesterday, so it is very much still in action and its the yard haven't given up on finding the right opportunity.

Jack G Gilligan has been the regular partner, teaming up with Eyeeye seven times without a win between them. That is a tough run for any jockey-horse combination, though it speaks to a consistent faith in the pairing rather than constant switching in search of answers. The trainer is Paul John Gilligan, based out of Athenry in County Galway, and the yard has had five winners on the board this season — so it is not as though the operation lacks the ability to get horses to win. Eyeeye just hasn't been one of them yet.

At 29 races without a victory, it is fair to wonder whether that day will ever come. But horses like this have surprised people before, and the fact that it keeps placing — keeps finishing in the frame — means the belief hasn't gone entirely. Sometimes a horse just needs the stars to align: the right ground, the right field, the right day. Eyeeye is still out there looking for its moment.