Course specialist Dibiya looks the percentage bet
The son of Sadler’s Wells, successful in his only race as a juvenile, was touted as a possible classic contender early in the current campaign.
Clearly, however, he’s had problems and didn’t make his seasonal debut until the middle of July at Leopardstown.
He went off an odds-on chance then, but managed only to dead-heat with moderate stable companion, Ursa Minor, for fourth place behind Almost Famous.
On the bare form Sorcerous has little chance here, but he did look a star of the future at Leopardstown back in October when beating the ultra-smart Dermot Weld trained In Time’s Eye by a length.
It is quite possible Sorcerous will outclass these rivals, and progress to better things, but I prefer to look elsewhere for the winner.
The vote goes to Dibiya, despite the fact Johnny Murtagh prefers John Oxx’s other contestant, Bowmore.
Dibiya ran the race of her life, enjoying less than a clear run, when a close second to Oxx’s Pugin at Fairyhouse last time.
Add in the fact that the only two races she has ever won have come at Ballybrit and she is entitled to the nod, in a contest probably best left alone.
Oxx’s Englishtown gets the nap to take the Long Walk Maiden.
He lost his balance, with under three furlongs to go, when sixth behind well-backed Snippets at the Curragh first time up at the Curragh eight days ago and should be all the better for the experience.
The opening Deacy Concannon Novice ’Chase promises a cracker between Barrow Drive, Snob Wells and Albatros.
The vote goes to Snob Wells, who made a spectacular debut over fences on this track in early August and may possess too much speed for his rivals in the closing stages.
