Since those two near-misses, though, the results have gone the other way. Finishing 12th and 9th in its most recent pair of races, with a run just yesterday, suggests White Smoke is currently at a bit of a low ebb. Whether that reflects the competition getting tougher, the horse going through a flat patch, or something else entirely, only the trainer will know — but it is a noticeable dip from where things stood a few runs ago.
M C Grassick, based at the Curragh in County Kildare — the heartland of Irish thoroughbred racing — has sent out six winners this season, so this is a yard that knows how to get a horse ready to win. The question is whether White Smoke can find a race that suits well enough to finally convert one of those placing efforts into a victory. At three years old there is still time, but the clock is ticking on a season that has promised more than it has delivered so far.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naas Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 9 May | 0% |
| The Curragh Galloping |
2 | 2 seconds | 27 Sep | 0% |
| Dundalk Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 5 Nov | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 4 Apr | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 8 Oct | 0% |