Josh's Joy

The recent form paints a picture of a horse still learning its trade. A fifth place stands out as the most recent outing just a day ago, suggesting Josh's Joy remains actively campaigned and competitive enough to be placed regularly in the races chosen for it. With five placings from six attempts, there is clearly ability here — horses that consistently finish in the top three or four have the foundations of a decent racehorse — but the margins between success and near-misses have been consistently narrow. Trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien at Ballyroe in County Tipperary, Josh's Joy benefits from a yard that has already sent out 31 winners this season, a sign that the training operation knows how to get the best out of its charges. Whether Josh's Joy will return to the winner's circle and build on that Naas victory remains to be seen, but the horse has already proved it belongs in competitive company.