Inver Bay

The numbers tell a modest story. From 12 career races, Inver Bay has won twice and placed twice more, giving her a win rate of roughly 1 in every 6 attempts. It is not a glittering record, but the interesting detail lies in the distance. When stepped up to races between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, Inver Bay becomes a different proposition entirely — she has won two of four attempts at this trip, a 50 per cent win rate that stands out sharply against her overall form. He clearly enjoys the longer distance, and his trainer Aidan Anthony Howard appears to have worked this out. The Curragh-based yard has been cautious this season, sending out just two winners so far, which makes the faith shown in Inver Bay worth noting.

The horse's recent form is patchy but not hopeless. She finished second just a few days before her latest win, and before that ran fifth twice in quick succession. These are not the runs of a horse written off by her the yard — they suggest steady work toward a peak. At seven, Inver Bay is not young, but he is also not past it, and if Howard can keep him pointed at races of the right distance and conditions, there may be more winning days ahead.