Giant Haystacks

The last six runs tell a much more encouraging tale. After a ninth-place finish most recently, Giant Haystacks has picked up three places in the past month or so — a third, a fourth, and a fifth. This is a horse that appears to be running consistently without winning, which at this stage of its career is actually a positive sign. The 8-week gap since the Wexford win suggests the yard has been patient, getting Giant Haystacks right between races rather than pushing it out too often.

The one puzzle is Danny Gilligan, who has ridden the horse seven times without a win. That is a blank record from a jockey with what appears to be a solid working relationship with O'Sullivan's yard — the trainer has sent out 40 winners this season, so the stable is clearly in form. Whether a change of rider might help is impossible to say, but the consistency of recent placings suggests Giant Haystacks is a horse that knows how to run a race and find a position. At this age, with two wins on the board and improving form, there is reason to believe another win is not far away.