Wexford Opera can make light of bad draw
Saturday, August 18, 2012
We are at least guaranteed one meeting in Ireland this weekend, with Dundalk playing host to eight races tomorrow.
The nap vote on the polytrack goes to Jim Bolger’s once-raced Wexford Opera in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
He has missed several opportunities of late, due to the atrocious weather, and it is no surprise Bolger now seizes the chance to send the son of New Approach to the Co Louth track.
Wexford Opera hasn’t run for 59 days, not since making his debut in testing ground at Leopardstown in June.
He brought a big reputation to the racecourse that evening, but proved no match for subsequent Group 1 winner, Pedro The Great, and was beaten four and a half lengths into second place.
The selection looked a horse with a lot of potential, however, and is fancied to make light of a bad draw, in a hot contest.
Bolger could complete a double with Rigoletta in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race And Stay Maiden. She was returning from a long break when a close fourth behind Dream Applause at Leopardstown last week and is entitled to come on plenty.
Kevin Prendergast’s Nurpur is proving disappointing, but may be worth risking in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.
She was a beaten favourite when only third to Dermot Weld’s newcomer, Muaanid, and Aidan O’Brien’s King Of The Romans at Galway, but this surface might see her in a more favourable light.
If Tramore passes an 8am inspection then Willie Mullins’ Rattan should oblige in the Aer Lingus Regional Hurdle.
He met some trouble in running when only 12th behind Rebel Fitz in the Galway Hurdle and the conditions of this much easier test are stacked in his favour.
Mullins’ Bundle Of Fun, a frustrating sort, might squeeze through the Anglo Printers Beginners Chase, having gone under by a neck to Clicksnmortar in a modest Wexford handicap last time.
Heavenly Chorus, a creditable third behind in-form Shadow Eile and Knockcroghery at Galway recently, gets a hopeful nap in the Waterford And Tramore Racecourse Directors’ Mares Handicap Hurdle.
At Tramore tomorrow Willie Mullins’ Dani Catalonia can take the Bumper.
This consistent sort was third at Limerick to Izabelle Amie and Queen Of The Hill and the form was nicely boosted when Queen Of The Hill went to win easily at Downpatrick.