Meet a Must bet
Kevin Prendergast's colt produced, arguably, a career-best performance in a Listed event on this track earlier in the month and looks well capable of making the step up in class.
Mind you, he has won a Group Three before, landing the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh first time up last season. But essentially he has never really been considered a Group performer, but canny trainer Prendergast has decided it is time to dip his toe in this league again.
The selection quickened in style last time, shooting four lengths clear in the closing stages, and his excellent turn of foot can see him prove too good for Ace, who has been somewhat disappointing so far this campaign.
Another going the right way, House Of Bourbon, gets the nap to land the Ladbrokes 1800 777 888 Handicap. Unraced as a juvenile, he has improved with each outing and was particularly impressive when getting off the mark in a Bellewstown maiden eight days ago.
Once-raced Peintier is the choice in the ten furlongs Gyproc Maiden. He stayed on stoutly when beaten a length by Addicted at the Curragh and an extra two furlongs now looks just the ticket.
The beautifully-bred Aidan O'Brien trained newcomer, Suppose, will be well worth a second glance in the opening ladbrokes.com EBF Fillies Maiden. She is by Danehill and the first foal of the former Ballydoyle inmate, Sophisticat, who won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
At headquarters tomorrow there appears no good reason to oppose Alexandrova in the Darley Irish Oaks, a contest which has attracted just six runners. She produced a powerful display to land the English equivalent at Epsom, scorching home six lengths to the good. Alexandrova is far better than this opposition and only if running below par can one envisage her meeting defeat.
The rest of the card is an absolute minefield and offers little cause for optimism.
Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Abide With Me, a well-regarded son of Danehill, may take the Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes.
Jedburgh, who enjoyed little luck in running when sixth to Uhoomagoo in a fiercely competitive Royal Ascot handicap, can win the three-runner Emirates Airline Minstrel Stakes, a dreadful response for a Group Three.
At Sligo tomorrow Bernabeu, runner-up to Jubilant Note over flights at Tipperary and impressive when scoring on the level at Bellewstown subsequently, is the bet of the day in the opening maiden hurdle.
