Thecompanysergeant

His best form comes on normal ground conditions, where he has won four races from twelve attempts — a win rate of one in three that stands out sharply against his overall record. At Kilbeggan, his local track, he owns a course record of two wins from four races, suggesting he has figured out something about that particular layout that suits him. His most recent victory came at Clonmel in June, two months ago now, and his last six races tell the story of a horse gradually losing his way: a fourth, then an eighth, then a first-place, then a second, then no race at all, then a twelfth. The pattern is jumbled but the trend is downward, and at nine years old, time is not on his side.

What has kept the yard interested is his ability to run well in bigger races. Cromwell's yard has suggested he came close when second in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival last season — one of the top races in Britain — though he did not quite stay the distance when sixth in the Kerry National. The trainer has him aimed at the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham this month, and the idea appears to be to drop him back in trip again, the theory being that two and a half miles might suit him better than the longer tests. At nine, Thecompanysergeant is not going anywhere new; but if normal ground comes his way and the trip is right, there are probably still a few more days out left in him.