Art Of Silence

The broader career record tells a more honest story. Two wins and four places from 19 races amounts to a win rate of around 11%, or just over one win in every nine races. Both victories have come over longer distances — two miles and beyond — where Art Of Silence has won 2 of 12 races, a rate of 17%. That is not a horse who lights up the track everywhere, but it is a horse with a clear profile: give it a stamina test, preferably at Ballinrobe, and it becomes a different proposition.

The concern heading into a return is time and form. Art Of Silence has not won in six races, and the recent figures — eighth, eighth, ninth, ninth, seventh — are not encouraging. The last victory came at Ballinrobe in July 2023, which is now 33 months ago. Since then, the horse has been competitive enough to keep racing but not sharp enough to win. Coming back after a five-month break adds another question mark, though breaks can occasionally refresh a horse that has gone a little stale.

Gerard Keane's yard in Trim, Co Meath, has sent out 10 winners this season, so the operation is in working order. The interesting question is whether a return to Ballinrobe — the one place where Art Of Silence has genuinely shone — could be the occasion that changes the conversation. At seven years old and with that record away from its favoured track, this is not a horse you back blindly. But if the conditions are right and the trip is long enough, it has shown before that it knows how to win there. That is worth remembering.