Le Leopard poised to pounce for victory
The handicapper believes Aidan O’Brien’s High Country is the proverbial good thing and time may well reveal the folly of going against his judgement.
High Country has 12lbs in hand of the selection at these weights and, obviously, has to be respected.
He returned from a long break to finish a creditable third behind Spanish John and Faasel in a competitive Curragh handicap earlier in the month, on his first attempt at two miles.
The Danehill colt is entitled to come on for that run, but has never been one of my favourite horses and is readily opposed.
Le Leopard comes here in top form, fresh from an easy success over flights at Downpatrick. Previously, he was runner-up to Rockstown Boy at Galway and failed by a neck to concede Truly Gold almost two stone at the Curragh.
Ballydoyle can enjoy a rare victory on this track with the somewhat enigmatic Lord Nelson in the Killinan Maiden.
It has been largely a case of unfulfilled promise for the son of Fasliyev, but recent efforts in nurseries at Leopardstown and Listowel give him a real chance in this moderate event.
John Oxx’s Fox Mask, not knocked about when fourth to Kevin Prendergast’s newcomer, Adaala, at Roscommon, gets the nod in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Another Oxx inmate, Akilana, who ran a nice sort of race on terrible ground when third to Akarem at Listowel, can land the Horse and Jockey Maiden.
