Kilcrea Rock

The partnership with jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle has not clicked so far either — five races together and no wins between them. That said, recent form does show some signs of life. The last six runs produced a second place and a third, which at least suggests the horse is competitive at times, even if converting that into a victory has proved elusive.

What works in Kilcrea Rock's favour is where it is trained. Joseph Patrick O'Brien's yard at Owning Hill in Co Kilkenny is one of the most formidable operations in Irish racing, and this season alone it has produced 155 winners — a volume of success that speaks to real depth and quality across the string. Horses from that yard tend to be well placed and well prepared, so when the yard feel the time is right, it usually means something. The horse returns now after a five-month break, which is a long enough absence to suggest the team have been patient, perhaps waiting for the right opportunity or allowing the horse time to develop and come back in better shape. Whether Kilcrea Rock can reward that patience with a first career win remains to be seen, but it arrives back in the care of one of the best yards in the business — and that is no small thing.