Oogum Boogum

What makes the timing interesting is how the recent form had been building. Looking at the last six races in reverse order — a 7th, a 15th, a 3rd, then two unplaced runs — and then that winning performance at the top of the list, it reads like a horse that had been quietly finding its feet again after some forgettable efforts. A third place somewhere in there suggested the ability was lurking; it just needed the right day and the right race to come together.

The win is also a small but meaningful moment for trainer David Kenneth Budds, based at Reinduff in Co Waterford. His yard has sent out just 2 winners this season, so every success counts, and Oogum Boogum's breakthrough adds to a modest but hard-earned tally. Regular rider Mr E T Mellerick has been aboard for 7 of the horse's races without a win between them, so it is worth noting that this victory came without him in the saddle — a small footnote, but one that tells its own story. At eight years old, Oogum Boogum is not a young horse with years of big prizes ahead, but this week at Punchestown, none of that mattered.