Wexford 7:38 Verdict

Form figures of 213211 are outstanding - this 13yo has won three of his last four starts and is clearly in career-best form right now, running just 7 days ago suggesting a yard firing on all cylinders with the horse fit and sharp. Top-weight at 157lbs but that's earned through genuine improvement, and OR 88 looks fair given the consistency. Tongue-tie/blinkers combo is clearly working. Veteran chasers who find this kind of form at 3m1f on good ground are gold - they know how to get the trip and are professional. Main market rival Thewaybackhome (OR89) is younger and progressive but form (0-3425) is more mixed with a blank recently, while True Harmony and others carry lower ratings/less proven form at this trip. Cullenwaine's 25412 is solid too but Fr Gilligansvoyge's figure-line is the strongest on offer - back to back wins then another second/first shows a horse relishing this grade. Course specialists at small tracks like Wexford often go well fresh off recent runs, and a week since last start keeps him sharp without draining reserves. I'll take the in-form, course-hardy stayer over the theoretically higher-rated younger types who haven't strung results together as impressively.