Address Unknown can put himself firmly on Derby map
The vote goes to Dermot Weld’s Address Unknown, who has a bit to find with At First Sight on their running behind Puncher Clynch here last month. But the bare form tells nothing of the real story.
At First Sight, who had the run of the race in front, was beaten a short head into second and had Address Unknown about a length and a half adrift in fifth place.
The selection, however, was desperately unlucky. He appeared to be going best of all approaching the final furlong, but got no sort of run and was eased by Pat Smullen when his chance was gone.
Seamus Heffernan again partners At First Sight, with Johnny Murtagh teaming up with Midas Touch. It isn’t easy to evaluate Midas Touch.
He looked a possible star of the future when streaking away with a maiden at the Curragh, but was very disappointing when only fourth to stable companion, Jan Vermeer, in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud.
You can argue Reiteration will be out of his depth, having 13lbs to find with Midas Touch, but it wouldn’t be the first time that Jim Bolger has tilted at windmills successfully!
The travels of Midas Touch in the market will be worth more than a passing glance, but Address Unknown is the percentage call.
It could be a decent day for the Weld-Smullen combination. Their Be My Storm, who ran into an impressive sort in Awe Inspiring at Cork, gets the nap in the Join The Tote Go Racing Club Maiden.
And the duo’s Famous Name, who made an excellent start to the season when easily beating Recharge on this track, is hard to oppose in the Amethyst Stakes.
At Killarney tomorrow, Adrian Maguire’s Let Yourself Go can get back on the winning trail in the www.themalton.com Chase.
He ran a cracking race at the Punchestown Festival, runner-up behind captain Cee Bee, and this seems decidely easier!
Feature event is the Ladbrokes. com Handicap Hurdle and, in a wide open contest, perhaps a little on Grey Soldier may not miss the mark by too much.
Admittedly, this is his first handicap and that’s a worry, but he has a hint of class about him and will revel in the likely fast surface.
Grey Soldier was holding every chance when parting company with Davy Russell, now returning from injury, three out in the Grade 1 won by Blackstairmountain at Punchestown. Earlier in the campaign, he also ran a smashing race behind the smart Rite Of Passage, on unsuitably heavy ground, at Leopardstown.
At Dundalk Battleoftrafalgar, touched off by Puncher Clynch on this track on his seasonal debut, gets the nap to go one better in the Leading Jockey and Trainer Championship Handicap.
