West Clare

The tricky part of the story is the gap. West Clare hasn't raced in roughly eight months, and the last win at Listowel — now around 18 months ago — feels like a long time in the rear-view mirror. A break of that length always raises questions: is the horse coming back fit and ready, or will it need a run or two to rediscover its sharpness? The encouraging sign is that the form either side of that absence held up well, with a second-place finish immediately before the break and another second not long before that.

Phillip Enright has been the regular partner, riding West Clare in 5 of its 15 races without getting to the winner's enclosure together. That doesn't mean the combination doesn't work — plenty of partnerships accumulate near-misses before everything clicks — but it is a stat worth noting as the horse returns from its layoff. Trainer Brian M McMahon operates out of Scarriff in Co Galway and has sent out 4 winners already this season, so the yard is in working order. West Clare won't be the stable star, but it is coming back to a team that knows how to have a horse ready.

At 8 years old, West Clare is an experienced campaigner who knows its job. The career numbers — 1 win, 3 places, 15 races — paint a picture of a solid, honest horse rather than a headline act. But honest horses with recent placed form and a trainer in form can surprise people on their return, especially at a track they've already won at. Listowel in September 2024 proved West Clare can get the job done. The question, after eight months off, is whether it can do it again.