Apt Son the answer
The Frank Ennis-trained colt, a son of Altitude, has shown distinct promise in two competitive maidens and, dropping to median auction company, should open his account at the third attempt.
On his debut, Apt Son finished a creditable fourth in the Gowran Park maiden which saw the highly-regarded Ballydoyle colt swoop late to beat subsequent Tralee winner Wrong Number.
The American-bred colt also acquitted himself well at Leopardstown last tine, when finishing two and a half lengths fifth behind Domestic Fund and Houston Dynimo in what was a strong-looking maiden.
Dropping in class, Davy Moran’s mount should prove very difficult to beat and is preferred to Hebridean, which shaped with plenty of promise under today’s rider, Shaun Levey, when a fast-finishing second to Casablanca Jewel at this level at Bellewstown last week.
Although disappointing in recent bumper outings, Oola Lad might be capable of getting off the mark in the Tote Telebet 1850 238 669 Maiden Hurdle.
Runner-up to subsequent winner Genuine Pearl at Cork before finishing a disappointing fourth to Decoy Daddy at Tramore, Oola Lad then had two respectable runs to his credit over hurdles late last year and caught my eye when seventh to Charlie Yardbird at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Obvious dangers are Niall Madden’s 101-rated Jam Roll and the Dermot Weld-trained hurdling debutant Little Eye (rated 81 on the flat).
But Oola Lad’s day looks to have arrived.
The Tony Martin trained Stage Manager, a smooth scorer at Killarney on Sunday, returns to the scene of a crashing fall back in May with obvious prospects of recording a quick double.
Ruby Walsh gave this five-year-old an ultra-confident ride to beat Bowerman effortlessly by three lengths at Killarney and, with just a mandatory 5lb. to shoulder, Stage Manager should follow-up.
Prince Of Pleasure and Torrid Kentavr, second and third respectively to Zum See in the Tony O’Malley Memorial Handicap Chase at Galway, will have plenty of supporters for the www.tote.ie Handicap Chase.
But preference is for the Colm Murphy-trained Clew Bay Cove, conqueror of subsequent Tralee winner Sharp Doctor over this course and distance last time.
The selection travelled strongly throughout before apparently tiring in the very testing ground and, on a far drier surface today, he might be capable fo defying a 6lb. rise in the ratings.
