Bullet Bourbon

The recent form makes for mixed reading. A third-place finish three races ago showed some promise, and a second two runs back suggested Bullet Bourbon can get competitive when things fall right. But a seventh and a ninth in the most recent two outings indicate it hasn't quite built on those moments. That's the tricky thing with horses like this — the occasional glimpse of ability keeps hope alive, while the disappointing runs in between keep raising questions about consistency.

What works in the horse's favour is the team behind it. Trainer T G McCourt operates out of Stamullen in County Meath and has already sent out 14 winners this season, which tells you this is a yard with genuine ability to get horses to the track in form. A yard producing that kind of output isn't just sending horses out to make up the numbers — they know what they're doing, and at some point Bullet Bourbon may well benefit from that. Whether the horse is simply still learning the job, waiting for the right conditions, or needing a different kind of race to unlock its potential, McCourt is well placed to figure it out. The first win, when it comes, will be a long time coming — but in racing, those are often the ones people remember most.