Boulavogue to lead the charge

JOHNNY MURTAGH, setting a scorching pace at the head of the jockeys' championship, can consolidate his position by landing a double at Bellewstown this evening.

Murtagh partners Boulavogue for Charlie Swan in the Ray White Auctioneers' EBF Median Auction Maiden and the son of Turtle Island gets the nap.

He has the best of the draw, in one, and Murtagh can have him out and away if he so desires. The selection ran a solid race at Listowel last month, indicating his turn should not be long delayed.

Boulavogue was beaten three parts of a length by Financial Reward and the third and fourth respectively, Dryandra and Haroni, have scored in the meantime.

Murtagh has real prospects as well aboard ex-English trained Smitten Kitten in the Casselys' Fun Fair Maiden.

She made a reasonably promising start to her new career in Ireland when a head runner-up to Wychwood Wanderer at Navan and this looks a particularly weak race.

The badly drawn Tom Hogan-trained Giftware still gets the nod in the opening Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Maiden.

She has the best piece of form facing into the contest, half a length second to the smart Howya Now Kid at Down Royal, but it will take all of Willie Supple's considerable skill to get her across from stall 11.

Willie Mullins' Absolute Tiger is the fancy in the second division of the McLoughlins' Oil Bumper.

He caught the eye at Listowel in early June, third behind Manoir and Finns Cross, and has the progressive All Noble to worry about.