Portetta

The recent form tells an interesting story. A second place finish a few runs back suggested a horse on the rise, and it has continued to feature in the frame, though the last couple of outings have been quieter. What stands out is the activity — Portetta raced just yesterday, which means this is a horse being kept busy and in good rhythm by the yard. John Joseph Hanlon, based in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, clearly believes there is a race to be won with this one, and with 11 winners already on the board this season, his is a yard in decent form and worth taking seriously.

Paddy Hanlon has been in the saddle for five of Portetta's eight races, yet the pair are still waiting for their moment together. That partnership — no wins from five attempts — might look frustrating on paper, but the consistency of keeping the same jockey suggests the team has a plan and is sticking to it. Sometimes the right race simply hasn't come along yet, and with a horse this active and a trainer firing in winners, it may only be a matter of time before the pieces fall into place.