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18:00 Doncaster We start today’s preview patent with a look at a low class five furlong sprint from Donny. A small field of six will take to the stalls and Irish Girls Spirit for Paul Midgley and Megan Carberry. She completed a double last September and is still eight pounds above last winning mark. She has shown no form at all this year, like most of these, but given he does not look well treated, I am going to oppose the favourite.
Beau Minstral ran to bad to be true last time out but is effectively eleven pounds higher than last winning mark today with George Downing claim been replaced. While on the pick of her form she can be competitive off this mark but I would like to see her run to that level a bit more consistently.
The gelding I am siding with is Iggy, the Mick Easterby trained runner got left at the start when Haydock had to have a tape start. He was incredibly well backed that day and with more even break would have been involved. His form is tailing off a little this year after some promising early runs this season. Compensation awaits and this horse have run well off this kind of mark previously and even with the slow break, the form is working out.
Iggy (WIN)
20:00 Leopardstown
We head to the Dublin track for a group three and listed race to conclude are preview. Carla Bianca is the favourite and I find it impossible to oppose. She will be short enough price and this is competitive but her run last time out entitles her to bolt up here. DK Weld horse was a game 3/4 length down to Oaks second favourite Words last time out, the main thing about that run was the fact the winner was in receipt of nineteen pounds from Carla Bianca, on better terms with the field today and with nothing in here like Words she should get back in front.
While the rest of these look a so so bunch, all with ability but not showing same. Queen Nefertiti will need to find plenty to challenge after a similar third on its last outing. The biggest danger may be Battle of Marathon, who is unexposed. Clearly had issues thou and with the majority of Aidan’s team needing the run he is put in watch list.
Carla Bianca (WIN)
20:30 Leopardstown
The final race is a listed event won last year by Pale Mimosa for Dermot Weld and he looks to have another excellent chance with Silwana. She failed to justify market support on seasonal reappearance but went on to win next time in a Curragh two mile handicap, just getting up to beat Hurricane Ridge. She drops back in trip to get some “black type” but I don’t think the drop in trip with the step up in class will suit.
Ed Dunlop throws a 109 rated horse into the mix to confuse things. He finished a good third behind Postulation and Parish Hall at the Curragh and takes a big step up in trip. He is interesting but given the length of time he was off previously there is every possibility he will bounce and is on the watch list for now.
Certerach won a Group Two at Meydan in 2014 but has failed to reproduce that form since. Drifting Miss and Cullentry Royal will need to step up to be involved here.
So the selection is Fields of Athenry, this son of Galileo is unexposed, with one run as a two year old and broke his maiden tag at Dundalk with a facile success. Extremely well backed in the Ulster Derby next time up just couldn’t get home under an extremely aggressive ride. In fact he did very well to stay on for second give the pace they went and was coming back to winner after that. He has some good entries but unlike most of Aidan’s the is only entered in Group two, which tells me they know how good this horse is. He is rated 103 and receives more than enough weight, while he is short enough I can see this price halving before the off.
Fields Of Athenry (WIN)