Progressive Latino can turn on the magic
The son of Lion Cavern ran the race of his young life against English 2000 Guineas winner, Refuse To Bend, at Leopardstown last time.
He was no match for Dermot Weld’s Breeders’ Cup bound colt, but stayed on stoutly to finish three lengths second.
That performance confirmed what Latino Magic has been telling us for a while, that he is a horse rapidly on the upgrade.
Biggest danger is probably Snippets, dropped in class and distance, after cutting little ice behind Vintage Tipple in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
The pair are weighted to run a dead-heat, but Latino Magic is much more of a specialist miler and is preferred.
Bermaho, the mount of Ruby Walsh, gets the nap to take the Val’s Bar and Bistro three-year-old Hurdle.
Ger Lyons’ gelding created a big impression on his jumping debut at Roscommon, making every yard of the running to beat Corrib Boy by two and a half lengths.
Sandtrap, in receipt of 7lbs, is the worry, having gone under by a head to More Rainbows (levels) at Tramore.
Paul Nolan’s Say Again is fancied to outclass his rivals in the Meadowlands Hotel Beginners Chase.
He was in much better company, even if ultimately out of his depth, when beaten a flattering four and a half lengths by Golden Row at Galway.
Only seven are set to face the starter in the opening Irish Stallion Farms Maiden, but it has the makings of an interesting contest and the market may well reveal a lot more than the Form Book!
From this range Jim Bolger’s Akinola, in good company when fifth of six behind One Cool Cat in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh, gets the vote.
