What is encouraging is where that win came from. Over long distances — races of two miles or more — Radar Ahead has won 1 from 5, which is a 20% win rate. That might sound modest, but it is actually four times better than its overall record suggests. Strip away the races run at shorter trips and you see a horse that is far more competitive when given the chance to settle and grind it out over a proper distance. That is useful information.
The recent form, however, is harder to spin. Looking at the last six races — 7th, 3rd, 3rd, 11th, 4th, 5th — there are two thirds in there that show Radar Ahead is placing, which counts for something, but no wins since that July breakthrough. T G McCourt's yard has sent out 14 winners this season, so the operation clearly knows how to get horses to the line first. The question is whether they can find the right opportunity to get Radar Ahead back there.
The horse raced just one day ago, which means it is very much in active training and being kept busy. Ten places from 20 races tells you it is competitive enough to finish in the frame regularly — this is not a horse that trails home last every week. But places without wins, over time, become a story of nearly. The Sligo win is the proof that it can do it. The challenge now is doing it again.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellewstown Sharp |
4 | 1 second, 1 third, 2 other | 11 Apr | 0% |
| Ballinrobe Sharp |
3 | 1 second, 1 third, 1 other | 27 May | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 25 Apr | 0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 18 May | 0% |
| Killarney Sharp |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 6 Oct | 0% |
| Galway Tight |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 30 Jul | 0% |
| Sligo Sharp |
1 | 1 win | 13 Jul | 100% |
| The Curragh Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 22 Oct | 0% |
| Dundalk Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 18 Dec | 0% |
| Limerick Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 13 Mar | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 15 Feb | 0% |