No Flies On Him

That one career win came at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day, 26 December 2023 — a date that matters in Irish racing. Leopardstown on the day after Christmas is one of the most atmospheric fixtures of the year, packed with families and festive punters. Winning there is not nothing. The trouble is, it was 31 months ago, and nothing has come close since. The last six races have produced one second place and a win — but look more carefully at that recent form and the picture is messier: one second, one seventh, and three blanks alongside that placed effort. The form is patchy at best.

Mark Walsh, one of Ireland's most respected jockeys, has partnered the horse seven times and won once — that Leopardstown day — which works out at roughly 1 in every 7 rides together, or 14%. That is a reasonable return given the horse's overall record, and suggests Walsh brings something out of it when the conditions are right.

The trainer is E McNamara, operating out of Rathkeale in County Limerick. The yard has been in decent form this season, sending out 22 winners — so this is a functioning, active operation rather than a backwater stable. No Flies On Him may be one of the quieter members of the team, but it is being kept in training for a reason, and it raced just yesterday, which means the yard — the team around this horse — clearly believe there is still something to aim at. Whether another moment like that December day in Dublin is coming is another question entirely.