Galway failure Diman can go one better
Dermot Weld’s gelding was backed as if defeat was out of the question at Ballybrit, but went down by three parts of a length to Yellow Ridge.
The form is ordinary, so it mightn’t pay to get too excited. Nevertheless, there are sound reasons for believing the selection capable of going one better. He was, for instance, unable to gain a clear passage on the approach to the straight and the winner got first run on him. Add in the fact Diman is entitled to come on plenty for the experience and will be well suited to stepping up an extra furlong.
Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer Chief Running Bear, who is by Fusaichi Pegasus, is probably the most interesting challenger.
The down-in-class John Oxx-trained Eyshal is the choice in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
He’s clearly no star, but his fifth behind Teofilo at the Curragh was a reasonable effort. Both Teofilo and third placed Blue Coral have won in the meantime.
At Sligo tonight, Charlie Swan can continue his rich vein of form with Lace Your Boots in the Tuesday 22nd August Maiden Hurdle.
A moderate performer in bumpers, he showed jumping was very much his game when beaten a short head by Noend at Roscommon.
Coin Man can take the John Perry Novice Hurdle. He finished with a flourish at Galway, beaten half a length by Arc Lemanique, and though an extra couple of furlongs wouldn’t go astray the seven-year-old can get away with it against this opposition.
