Dr Julian poised for local success
He certainly caught the eye at Ballinrobe at the end of May when fourth behind well-backed stable companion, Kilbeggan Lad.
The selection confirmed he is very much going the right way with a cracking effort on the flat at Wexford subsequently.
Dr Julian finished a neck second to Amid The Chaos over two miles and that was put in perspective when Dermot Weld’s gelding followed with an impressive front-running display at Naas on Wednesday evening.
Joe Crowley’s Blue Corrig appears nicely weighted in the Lisaleen Stables Handicap Hurdle and is the one to beat. He has been running really well on the level and was far from disgraced in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal on Saturday, when a close fourth to Newlands North, under the steadier of 9-11.
Feature event at the first stage of the Derby weekend at the Curragh this evening is the Listed Blue Square Stakes. Jim Bolger’s Sandie is a hopeful choice.
This tough sort stayed on strongly at the end of six furlongs last time when third to Rumplestiltskin and Waterways at Naas.
John Oxx’s Virginia Woolf gets the nod in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Derby, a contest which has attracted a disappointing field of only six.
She got off the mark in good style when taking a maiden at Leopardstown and the form received a minor boost when third placed Camouflage scored at Ballinrobe on Tuesday.
Aidan O’Brien’s Portsmouth, who looked badly in need of the experience when fourth to Helvetio here last month, rates one of the better wagers in the Blue Square Poker Maiden.
