Progressive Millstreet can lower Roe’s colours
Dermot Weld’s charge has been rested since failing by a neck to Royal Rebel in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June.
One imagines he will hardly be fully primed for this test, with some big autumn targets, such as the Irish Leger and the Melbourne Cup, in his sights.
As well the mile and a half is on the short side for the four-year-old and the progressive Millstreet may have the legs on him in the closing stages!
John Oxx’s colt has improved with each outing this season and may have hit the front a trifle soon when beaten in a desperate three-way tussle by Marigold and Hat Or Halo in a competitive Galway handicap last time. He is just 5lbs wrong at the weights with Vinnie Roe and is a clear second best on ratings.
Weld’s Dress To Thrill looks best in the one mile Group Three Desmond Stakes. Highly regarded by her handler, she made a satisfactory seasonal reappearance when easily beating Chiming on this track last month.
Despite coughing in Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien’s Powerscourt still gets the nod to take the EBF Maiden. Surprisingly beaten a short head by less fancied stable companion Macedonian King at Naas, the son of Sadler’s Wells will surely come on plenty for the outing.
Willie Mullins’ Milkat could be the safest wager, in the Waterford and Tramore Directors’ Maiden, back at the seaside today. He didn’t show much when in the care of both Declan Gillespie and Paul Nolan, but looked a smart sort when having a first outing for Mullins at Wexford a week ago. Apparently, Milkat had shown his new handler little at home, but there was nothing wrong with the display on the track, as he easily landed a maiden hurdle by seven lengths from market leader, Jurado Express.
The moderate Swordplay might be capable of squeezing through the Nolan Ryan Partnership Maiden Hurdle.
He proved no match for Madonna Fan at Kilbeggan, going down by seven lengths, but has a big edge in experience over smart flat handicapper, Sheer Tenby.
Tramore (Saturday)
Selections
2.15 Swordplay; 2.45 Broadstone Roadm (nb); 3.15 Tinquest; 3.45 Peru Girl; 4.15 Nicholls Cross; 4.45 Khazaika; 5.15 Milkat (nap)
Next Best
2.15 Sheer Tenby; 2.45 Dariole; 3.15 Eagle Thyme; 3.45 Feelin’ Looser; 4.15 Scallybuck; 4.45 Royal Century; 5.15 Aine Dubh
Leopardstown (Sunday)
Selections
2.30 Powerscourt; 3.00 Millstreet (nap); 3.30 Perfect Touch; 4.00 Dress To Thrill; 4.30 Champion Lodge; 5.00 Larifaari; 5.30 Just Our Job (nb)
Next Best
2.30 Akash; 3.00 Vinnie Roe; 3.30 lios; 4.00 Heretic; 4.30 Marigold; 5.00 Langkawi Bay; 5.30 Auditor
Tramore (Sunday)
Selections
2.15 Mivec; 2.45 Lawlor; 3.15 Ear To The Ground; 3.45 Indy Carr; 4.15 Droumleigh Lad; 4.45 I’vehadit; 5.15 Sweetgold
Next Best
2.15 Coral Son; 2.45 Dutch Lad; 3.15 Moscow Fable; 3.45 Sottvus; 4.15 Northern Fancy; 4.45 The Cushman; 5.15 Miss Sandy Claws
