Soir De Garde

The horse made his breakthrough at Tramore in April, where jockey Jody Townend was impressed by his jumping and his ability to settle into a rhythm. Townend noted that fast, dry ground appeared to suit him well, and that Soir De Garde did not have the constitution of a real battler through heavy ground — a useful insight for any race planning ahead. The timing of that debut win and his subsequent Wexford success suggest he responds well to the right conditions and a positive ride, though his recent form dips occasionally, with a third-place finish in his most recent run.

He is trained by W P Mullins, whose yard at Muine Bheag has been prolific this season with 215 winners. Mullins himself noted that Soir De Garde has a quality relation in State Man, a sibling who ran impressively at Punchestown, suggesting there is some breeding pedigree here — though Soir De Garde remains the more consistent performer in actual competition. With half a dozen races under his belt now and two wins to show for it, he is settled into his pattern: a horse that needs the right ground and the right tactics, but one who will give a good account when both align.