Appian Way

The recent form makes for difficult reading. In the last six races, the best finishing position has been ninth, with a string of double-digit placings filling out the rest. Jockey Ethan O'Sullivan has partnered Appian Way ten times without managing a win together, which at this point reflects the broader pattern rather than any individual failing — this is simply a horse that finds winning very hard to do.

Trainer Ms M Flynn operates out of Stradbally in County Waterford, and it has been a quiet season for the yard — just one winner sent out so far. Appian Way, who raced as recently as yesterday and remains active, has contributed 7 place finishes to the overall career tally, which suggests a horse that competes honestly and turns up reliably without quite finding the extra gear needed to win. At this stage of a career stretching to 42 races, those two victories in the same fortnight three and a half years ago stand out as a genuine high point — a brief moment when everything clicked, and one that looks increasingly unlikely to be repeated.