Weld can land Galway double
He saddles Media Asset in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and Music Celebre in the Loughnane Meat Products Handicap and both should oblige.
Media Asset will be making his debut in the extended mile event. He has gone down this road before and it has proved profitable in the past.
It looks an ordinary enough field.
Aidan O’Brien’s Acroplis was fancied when he contested a similar event, over an extended seven furlongs, at Tipperary last month but was disappointing when seventh behind the hot fancy Favourite National.
The Sadlers Wells colt will appreciate the longer trip but he will have to step up on that performance to trouble the selection.
After a few disappointing runs, Music Celebre eventually came good when scoring over a mile in a division of the Rose of Tralee 3-Y-O Handicap.
Pat Smullen was always well placed on the Peintre Celebre colt, taking the lead inside the last furlong and then holding off a strong challenge from Sahara Prince to get home by a short head.
In his previous outing at Limerick he showed promise when a three lengths second to the favourite, Lady Digby, over a mile.
He has a furlong less to cover this time but will have to be at his best to beat Michael Kinane’s mount Silver Spray. The six year old was out of luck at Tralee in his most recent outing. However, he had impressed earlier in the week at the Kerry track when taking the Vote With Your Feet Handicap by two and a half lengths from Mr Jayjay. A repeat of that form would see him with a great chance.
The feature event is the Listed Arilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes over a mile and a half and here a chance is taken with the Aidan O’Brien trained Some Kind of Tiger. He has raced just once this year and that was when sixth to Refuse To Bend in the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown.
The Storm Cat colt was beaten a little over five lengths and will be suited by the extra half mile today.
He was lightly raced last season, finishing second in his opening two runs at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse before eventually coming good in a seven furlong maiden at Gowran.
He is closely related to English and Irish Oaks winner Balachine and if he must surely have the potential to win this contest.
However, there will be support for the Michael Grassick trained Love Token and Willie Mullins’ Holy Orders.
