Its Time For A Run

The recent form tells a more complicated story. The last three runs read 1-8-7, meaning that debut win is sandwiched between two performances where the horse finished well down the field. That kind of inconsistency is not unusual for a young horse still learning the job, but it does mean Its Time For A Run has work to do to prove Downpatrick was a turning point rather than a one-off. The fact it has been back racing just one day after that win suggests the yard — sorry, the team — are keen to keep momentum going while the horse is in form.

Behind the horse is a yard worth paying attention to. Emmet Mullins, based in Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, has sent out 31 winners already this season — the kind of output that marks out a trainer who knows how to have horses ready to perform. When a horse from a yard running that hot wins, it rarely happens by accident.

Its Time For A Run is right at the beginning of its story. One win does not make a career, but every good horse has to start somewhere, and this one started at Downpatrick this week.