Coppola

Trained by Gordon Elliott at his powerhouse operation in Longwood, Co Meath, Coppola is part of one of the most formidable yards in Irish racing. Elliott's team has sent out 209 winners already this season alone, which gives you a sense of the scale and quality of the set-up this horse calls home. Getting a run for your money in that environment is no small thing, and Coppola has clearly earned its place on the roster.

The recent form makes for fascinating reading. After finishing 13th and then 8th, something clicked — Coppola has since finished second in three races on the bounce. That kind of turnaround, from the back of the field to the podium repeatedly, suggests a horse that has found its level and is running with real consistency. The frustrating truth, of course, is that second place still means going home without the prize. At seven years old, with nine races now behind it and a race just yesterday, time is not exactly a friend — but the current form suggests Coppola is as close to winning as it has ever been.

Whether that breakthrough comes depends on finding the right race at the right moment. Elliott's yard has the firepower and the knowhow to place a horse well, and with a horse in this kind of consistent near-miss form, the team will fancy their chances of finally getting Coppola's head in front before long.