Leader d'Allier

Trained by Willie Mullins at his operation in Muine Bheag, Co Carlow — a yard that has sent out 230 winners already this season, a figure that puts them in a different league from almost everyone else in Ireland — Leader d'Allier arrived with a promising background from France, where he built experience before making the switch. That kind of international grounding matters. Horses who have raced abroad tend to be sharper, less rattled by big crowds and the pressure of a competitive field.

His one Irish win came at Punchestown in January, and it told a story beyond the bare result. Jockey Paul Townend noted afterwards that the horse settled beautifully, showed real technique over his hurdles, and took a while to pull up after crossing the line — the sign of a horse running well within itself rather than emptying. That is encouraging. A horse who still has energy to burn at the finish line is a horse who has more to give. Mullins, for his part, was candid about a disappointing run at Leopardstown around Christmas — the horse was beaten by Ballyfad, a rival good enough to soften the blow — but pointed to the Punchestown performance as the more accurate picture of where this horse stands.

Mullins described him as being "right in the mix," which from one of the most successful trainers in the sport is a quietly significant thing to say. This is a horse still finding his feet in Ireland, still early in what looks like a promising story.