Borna can turn on magic

IT’S difficult to look beyond the in-form and well drawn Borna Magic in the Blackwater Homes Open Bitch Stake at Youghal tonight.

This eight-times winner set the standard last week, recovering from a tardy start to win going away in a career best 28.95.

As the only wide seed in the line-up, Borna Magic looks booked for a dream passage and has to get the vote.

Pearls Palace was baulked when a seven and a half lengths third behind Borna Magic and is expected to finish a lot closer this time.

Whatever the fate of Pearls Palace, O’Callaghan can strike with the lightly-raced Westwood Field in heat one of the Bob Daly Memorial Stake.

In the wars when unplaced at odds-on last time, Westwood Field shaped with plenty of promise when a close second in 29.16 on his debut at Cork in September.

Carlow Prince, unlucky when fourth in 28.98 at Waterford last month, can gain compensation in heat two.

Recent winners Vics Oops and Coolbeg Amy look a likely pair in heat three with the former, who has the best of the draw given preference.

Selections

1st race: Jethart Star (Ballyerrin Step)

2nd race: Current Flight (Castlemary Top)

3rd race: Hello Honcho (Dudley Diouf)

4th race: Weekend Wino (Grinan Judy)

5th race: Westwood Field (Great Dancer)

6th race: Carlow Prince (Amadores)

7th race: Vivs Oops (Coolbeg Amy)

8th race: Borna Magic (Pearls Palace)

9th race: Ballyverry Rebel (Borna Style)

10th race: Sirius Nikita (Kingsmeadow Earl)