So Proud

The most encouraging sign in So Proud's recent form is the shape of it. In the last six races, the horse ran unplaced twice before climbing back into the placings with three consecutive second-, third-, and fourth-place finishes, suggesting a return to something like form. Then came that eleventh-place finish just a day ago, which serves as a reminder that progress in racing is rarely smooth.

Trained by Jonjo and A.J. O'Neill at their Cheltenham yard, So Proud is in a stable enjoying a strong season with 51 winners already sent out. The O'Neills see genuine potential in this horse — they bought him after he won a race at Haydock under a previous trainer, Don Cantillon, and the plan is to step him up over hurdles this season. The early read from the yard is that he is probably a stayer in the making, a horse whose best days may come over longer distances. For a five-year-old with limited wins to his name so far, that kind of optimism from a well-regarded training operation suggests there could be more to come if he takes to jumping and finds the right trip.