Fine chance for Alliata to get off the mark

ON a weekend of few attractive betting opportunities, John Oxx’s Alliata is a confident choice to take the Roscrea EBF Fillies Maiden at Clonmel tomorrow.

The daughter of Southern Halo had just one outing as a juvenile, finishing a close third behind Silk Screen and subsequent winner, Tipperary All Star, at Leopardstown in October.

She reappeared at Naas last week, giving the impression her turn would not be long delayed. Alliata finished strongly to be beaten three parts of a length into second spot by Aidan O’Brien’s Fontanesi.