Minella Rockett

The horse's breakthrough came at Limerick on 2 July, and it has since proved that first win was no fluke. Most impressive is the run to Naas on 23 August, where it recorded its most recent victory — though that was seven weeks ago, suggesting either a planned break or bad luck finding another winning opportunity. Trainer John J Nallen, who runs an undisclosed yard that has produced five winners already this season, appears to have found a formula that works. The only oddity in the record is the partnership with jockey Seamie Heffernan, who has ridden Minella Rockett five times without a win. It is an unusual stat given the horse's recent success elsewhere, and suggests the partnership may not quite click, or that Heffernan has simply drawn the short straw on less favourable occasions.

Minella Rockett raced just yesterday, which means it is actively in training and clearly in the trainer's plans. For a three-year-old showing this kind of winning form — three victories in half a dozen runs — there is every reason to think more is to come. The consistency of placing high even when not winning shows a horse with genuine ability, and Nallen's yard appears to know how to get the best from it.