El Fontenaro

His recent form shows the kind of up-and-down pattern you see with horses who are still hunting for consistency. In his last six races he has placed twice, finished fourth, but also hit elevens and sixes — the sort of results that tell you he is not yet reliable enough to back with confidence. What is interesting is that his breakthrough came at Cork, which suggests the track or the conditions there suit him. That is worth noting for the future, should the yard send him back there.

Ronan Whelan has been his regular jockey, riding him in nine races without a win, so the successful run at Cork came with a different rider — another hint that the horse may respond better to a change. Trained by Jarlath P Fahey at Monastereville in County Kildare, El Fontenaro remains in a relatively modest yard that has sent out only three winners this season, so this win, though long in coming, is a notable moment for the team. He is still active and racing regularly, which suggests the yard believe there is more to come from him.