The Store Boy

The recent form makes for slightly mixed reading. His last two recorded finishes were both thirds — encouraging enough — but he followed those with a fifth, a seventh, and then a run where he didn't complete the course. His most recent race, just yesterday, brought a second-place finish, which at least suggests he is knocking on the door again.

De Bromhead is one of Ireland's most respected trainers, and his yard has sent out 107 winners already this season — so when he speaks about a horse, it is worth paying attention. He was candid after The Store Boy's most recent completed run, describing it as a little disappointing and hinting that stepping up in distance might be the key to unlocking something better. That is a meaningful signal. Some horses simply need more ground to get into their rhythm, and a trainer of De Bromhead's calibre doesn't make that call without reason.

Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe has been in the saddle for five of the six races, so there is clearly a settled partnership here — though neither horse nor rider has found the winner's enclosure together yet. The Store Boy is not a horse drowning in confidence-boosting results, but he has a high-profile trainer, a consistent jockey, and a man at the top who thinks a change in tactics could make the difference. Sometimes that is all it takes.