The recent record does nothing to soften that picture. His last six runs have produced finishes of eighth, a couple of breaks, fifth, another break, eighth, and sixth. There is no upward curve to point to, no sign of a horse finding its feet or warming to a particular type of race. He has also been off the track for roughly five months now, so he returns today with some rust to shake off on top of everything else.
His regular partner in the saddle, Mike O'Connor, has ridden him twelve times without winning — that is twelve attempts, zero wins, a partnership that has been nothing if not persistent. Trainer Michael Barry has managed one winner from his yard so far this season, which suggests this is not a operation currently firing on all cylinders.
The honest truth about Tuff Days is that he is the kind of horse who fills out a field rather than threatens to win one. Some horses take time to click; at eight years old and 31 races deep, the window for a breakthrough is not getting any wider. If he does cross the line first one day, it will be one of the more unlikely — and in its own way, quietly wonderful — results of the season.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wexford Sharp |
6 | 6 other | 29 Aug | 0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
5 | 2 seconds, 3 other | 22 Aug | 0% |
| Ballinrobe Sharp |
4 | 1 third, 3 other | 13 Sep | 0% |
| Tramore Sharp |
3 | 3 other | 1 Jun | 0% |
| Killarney Sharp |
3 | 3 other | 5 Oct | 0% |
| Limerick Galloping |
3 | 3 other | 21 May | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 1 Aug | 0% |
| Downpatrick Undulating |
2 | 2 other | 15 Jun | 0% |
| Tipperary Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 6 Jul | 0% |
| Sligo Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 23 Aug | 0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 6 Aug | 0% |
| Clonmel Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 3 Oct | 0% |