Can't Catch Molly

Trained by Patrick Downey out of Slane in County Meath, Can't Catch Molly ran just yesterday, so at least enthusiasm is not in short supply. Downey's yard has sent out one winner this season, which tells you this is a small, modest operation rather than a powerhouse stable. That is not a criticism — smaller yards often campaign horses patiently and keep them ticking over — but it does mean expectations need to be managed accordingly.

There is not yet a compelling case to make for Can't Catch Molly as a horse on the rise. No wins, a single place, and a sequence of mid-to-tail finishes suggest it is still searching for the right race and the right conditions to show what, if anything, it is capable of. The story is still being written — but right now, the chapters are short.