Almier can defy substantial hike in handicap mark
Michael Hourigan’s six-year-old, winner of a Listowel bumper, got off the mark over flights with a smooth performance at Killarney last week.
Going off a heavily-backed market leader, he simply toyed with the opposition. The son of Phardante was never out of second gear, cruising to a four lengths defeat of Rampart.
The margin of victory could have been at least trebled, had Timmy Murphy so wished, and it wasn’t lost on the handicapper, who promptly raised Almier by a whopping 14lbs.
There could be no cause for complaint about that and the selection, who began off a low mark anyway, can make light of it and do the business again.
Aidan O’Brien and Jamie Spencer have prospects of a double with Troubadour and Tivoli Fountain.
Troubadour makes a somewhat belated start to the campaign in the Darley Stallions Race.
He hasn’t been seen since running the race of his young life to finish about two lengths fifth behind Milk It Mick in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October.
That form is put in perspective when you consider Haafhd (English 2000 Guineas winner) and Bachelor Duke (Irish 2000 Guineas winner) filled third an fourth places respectively.
Fandango Dancer, who looked much improved when scoring easily at Leopardstown last week, is the danger and well capable of taking advantage, if there are doubts about Troubadour.
Neither of Tivoli Fountain’s two runs thus far would indicate he’s any star, but the son of Green Desert looks well capable of taking the Yeomanstown and Morristown Lattin Stud EBF Maiden. He did step up substantially on his debut run when a length and a half second to Hard Warrior at Gowran Park last month and should have the legs on Mount Eliza, who showed distinct promise first time up when third to Yaria and Trueheart on this track.
