Zoffman

The real insight comes when you look at where Zoffman runs well. Over distances between one mile three furlongs and one mile four furlongs, it has won 1 of its last 5 races — a 20 per cent win rate at those trips — suggesting it has found something of a sweet spot. The problem is consistency. In its most recent six races, the horse has picked up just one third place and a sixth; it came tenth on its most recent outing a day ago. Working with trainer Noel Meade's Castletown yard, which has been in fine form with 42 winners already this season, Zoffman has access to good horsemanship, yet it plainly isn't delivering. Even jockey Colin Keane, who has ridden it 11 times, hasn't managed a single victory from those mounts. For a horse that has been racing for several years now, Zoffman represents the eternal frustration of racing: genuine ability that surfaces just often enough to keep everyone interested, but nowhere near reliable enough to trust.