From The Ashes

His most recent form suggests a horse in reasonable order. In his last six outings, he has finished outside the top four only once, with three third-place efforts and two fourths around a recent victory. That win came at Fairyhouse on January 14 — two months ago now — which means the 74-day absence that follows has been a short, deliberate break rather than a sign of trouble. The yard of C Byrnes at Ballingarry, Co Limerick, will have used the time to freshen him up, and given that the trainer has already sent out 26 winners this season, there is clearly real form about the place.

Philip Byrnes, his regular jockey, has ridden From The Ashes 19 times and taken two wins — an 11 percent win rate together, which is better than the horse's overall average. That partnership matters; a rider who understands a horse's quirks, who knows exactly how to ask for an effort at the right moment, can make the difference between an also-ran and a winner. From The Ashes won his first race at Gowran Park back in February 2023, and it has taken him three years to prove he is not a one-hit wonder. In the racing game, that kind of patience and consistency — showing up race after race, competing hard, and occasionally delivering — is worth respect. He is a horse that, having found his form recently and returned fresh from a break, might just have another win or two left in him.