Macarthur can boost Derby prospects
Currently available between 6-1 and 10-1, depending on where you look, this will tell us whether he is a live possibility or not.
The selection’s main claim to fame thus far is that he is a full-brother to Motivator, who won the Epsom Derby two years ago.
Macarthur, successful in a moderate maiden at Navan on his only outing last season, made his reappearance in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on this track last month.
Light enough in the market, he finished half a length and a length and a half third behind Mores Wells and Ferneley.
The form has been working out nicely with fourth and fifth respectively, Creachadoir and Anton Chekhov, scoring in the meantime.
Strictly on that running, Macarthur cannot beat Mores Wells, but there are encouraging reports about his rate of improvement and the son of Montjeu gets the vote.
Danak is the nap choice to take a tight little four-runner Group 3 Amethyst Stakes. He beat Heolistatic a short head at Leopardstown last time and had two of his rivals now, Decado (gave 2lbs) and Quinmaster (rec. 3lbs), a further head and a neck away in third and fourth.
It was a decent effort on the part of John Oxx’s colt. He came into the race unbeaten in three races, but was stepping well up in class and came through with flying colours.
Ela Enta, who battled on with real gusto when beaten a short head by La Conquistadora at Navan, might provide the answer to the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial.
Artiste Bay, despite the fact he would prefer a longer trip, even if he did win his maiden over this course and distance, gets a hopeful nod to grab the featured Murphy’s Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney tomorrow.
He ran much better than his final placing would suggest behind Charlies First at the Punchestown Festival and will surely strip a lot fitter on this occasion.
Jim, who had a series of hard races, without much reward, through the winter may appreciate the drop in class afforded him in the Malton Hotel Chase. A break of 50 days can only have done him good.
Pacolet, who did us a favour at Clonmel on Thursday, cannot be deserted in the Killarney Grand Hotel (Ladies ) Handicap.
The capable Adrienne Foley has been booked and Pacolet can overcome a mandatory 5lbs penalty, although the fact that this contest is half a mile less than Clonmel is a worry!
On a rather grim programme at Downpatrick this afternoon, Dermot Weld’s Vision Of Grandeur can land the nap in the Heart Of Down Race.
He returned in good shape to make all over nine furlongs at Ballinrobe and may be even more effective moving up to a mile and a half.
