It's All Clear

The recent form tells the story of a horse hovering just outside the frame. In the last six outings, It's All Clear has had three third-place finishes and a couple of fourth-place efforts, with one fifth. That kind of pattern — close but no cigar — is both encouraging and frustrating. It means the yard are finding the right level of race and the horse is capable of holding its own, but there is clearly something missing on the day.

Trained by Julie Cashin at Killenaule in County Tipperary, It's All Clear is part of a yard that has already sent out a winner this season, so there is form on the board. The horse raced just a day ago, which suggests it is still actively campaigned and being given regular opportunities. For a five-year-old with no wins to its name, staying in training and getting these chances is half the battle — many horses in this situation are retired. Whether It's All Clear will finally convert one of those near misses into a victory remains to be seen, but at least it is still in the game.