Uncle Goalie

The pattern of the last four runs tells the story of a horse getting better. After a win and another win, Uncle Goalie finished third and then fourth — a slight dip, but nothing to worry about given the recent pace of racing. The first breakthrough came at Leopardstown back in August, and the Curragh win suggests the horse has learned something since then. Rory Anthony Devine's yard at Bagnalstown is not sending out winners by the bucket load this season, which makes the two wins Uncle Goalie has produced all the more valuable. They matter.

At this age and with this form, Uncle Goalie is exactly the kind of horse trainers dream about: one that wins more than it loses, seems to be improving, and is entered regularly. Whether that momentum holds depends on the races ahead, but right now this is a horse worth watching.