The recent form tells a particularly striking story. In his last six races, he has finished second four times in a row — that run of 2-2-2-2 in the middle of that sequence is the kind of thing that would test a trainer's patience and an owner's nerves. He raced just yesterday, finishing twentieth on that occasion, which suggests the yard are keeping him busy and looking for the right opportunity to get him off the mark.
Elliott himself has spoken warmly about the horse, noting that he arrived from France and took time to find his feet on these shores. The trainer has suggested a break did him good and that there is a better version of San Hilario still to come. Given that Elliott's yard has sent out 209 winners already this season — one of the most productive operations in the sport — the fact that he is bothering to talk up this horse at all carries some weight. Elliott does not tend to waste words on horses he has given up on.
Regular jockey Jack Kennedy has been aboard for five of their 11 races together without a win between them, but Kennedy is one of the top riders in the jumping game and his continued association with the horse suggests the yard still believes in what they have. When a yard of this size and quality keeps putting one of their best jockeys on a horse, it usually means they are waiting for conditions to click rather than losing faith. San Hilario has not won yet — but with the talent around him and the consistency he has shown at finishing close, it may only be a matter of time before one of those placed efforts finally becomes a first.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punchestown Galloping |
4 | 2 seconds, 2 other | 28 Apr | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 28 Feb | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 26 Jan | 0% |
| Clonmel Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 26 Mar | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 15 Feb | 0% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 29 Nov | 0% |