Opera set to star
The daughter of Sadler’s Wells has never run a bad race and looks primed for a first visit to the winner’s enclosure, following another decent effort at Limerick last time.
She only lost out by a head to the potentially smart David Wachman trained Perfecto, battling on encouragingly in the closing stages.
This looks easily Spring Opera’s best opportunity to date and she is a confident choice.
Aine Dubh can become the only horse to win twice at the meeting by taking the Dawn Milk Run Handicap.
A more than useful staying hurdler, she got off the mark on the level here on Monday night and is fancied to defy a mandatory 5lbs penalty.
The in-foal mare found a splendid turn of foot in the closing stages to shoot two and a half lengths clear, relishing the two miles and a furlong, the same trip as this contest.
Batang, who has developed into a cracking young timber-topper, will be a popular choice to go in again in the opening Colm Foley Memorial Novice Hurdle.
He goes from strength to strength and was never off the bridle in beating Babble On a totally unflattering two lengths at Limerick on his latest appearance.
This is his stiffest test to date however, off 12-3, and narrow preference is for the 24lbs receiving Pat Hughes trained Treculiar.
He has yet to show anything over flights, but there was plenty to like about the way he shaped on the flat at the Curragh last month when fourth to stable companion, Gemini Guest, in a 21-runner field.
