Guardian Of Realm

The recent form makes for interesting reading. A sixth-place finish in the oldest run on record gave way to something much more encouraging: two second-place finishes and a third. In other words, Guardian Of Realm has finished in the top three in three of its last four races. That is not a horse that is struggling — that is a horse that is knocking on the door.

What gives genuine cause for optimism is who is doing the training. G M Lyons, based at Dunsany in County Meath, is one of the most productive yards operating right now, having sent out 49 winners already this season. A trainer hitting those numbers does not keep a horse in training without believing there is a race to be won. Guardian Of Realm raced just yesterday, so clearly the team feel the horse is in good enough shape to keep running. The question is simply when the pieces fall into place.