Hardy Warrior

What makes the Naas win particularly interesting is that his trainer Joseph O'Brien didn't even expect him to be at his best that day — and he won anyway. That tends to tell you something about a horse. O'Brien noted afterwards that he handles wet, muddy ground well, and that all five of his runs have been solid with no real clunker in the bunch. For a young horse still working out what trip and company suits him, that level of consistency is unusual and encouraging.

The only bump so far has been a step up in distance — when the race was run over a longer trip, it appeared to stretch him, and O'Brien has been clear he wants to bring him back to a mile for now. The plan taking shape is an entry in a Group race, with options including the Tetrarch Stakes or a tilt at something like the German Guineas. Both would represent a significant step up in class and competition, but O'Brien seems relaxed about the prospect, describing him simply as "talented" — which from a trainer who has sent out 160 winners this season alone, and who chooses his words carefully, carries some weight.

The jockey's feedback is also worth noting: Declan McDonogh, who rode him at Naas, came back feeling that Hardy Warrior will get ten furlongs eventually despite the earlier setback. So the current plan — drop back to a mile, run in a top race, reassess — looks sensible rather than cautious. The trainer isn't hiding him. He's pointing him at something serious.