Le Cadre Noir poised to strike

NOW that Dermot Weld’s horses have struck form again, he had a treble at Leopardstown on Wednesday night, it should pay dividends to keep him very much on our side and his Italian import, Le Cadre Noir, gets the nap to land the Listed Belgrave Stakes at Fairyouse tomorrow.

A more than useful sort in his native country, the Danetime colt has produced two solid performances since arriving in Ireland.

He started in a Group 3 at the Curragh, finishing fourth behind three English horses, Tax Free, Benbaun and Desert Lord.

Then at the Curragh last Sunday, Weld let the four-year-old take his chance, under top weight of 10-0, in the Rockingham Handicap.

He could never get to grips with the speedy Masta Plasta, but stayed on strongly to take second, a length and three parts adrift of the impressive Dandy Nicholls-trained winner. Stepping up another furlong now is hardly a minus for the selection.

At Tipperary tomorrow, Tom Hogan’s Kalderon is the one they all have to beat in the featured Grade 3 Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle.

He has the best of the weights and is unbeaten in his last two outings over flights.

Kalderon warmed up for this with a spin on the all-weather at Dundalk last weekend.

Aidan O’Brien’s Psalm looks to have finally found his level in the Dan Dooley Ford Motor Centre Maiden.

She has been highly tried and was in Listed company at the Curragh seven days ago when fifth behind Navajo Moon. This represents a big drop in class.

David Wachman’s Miss Puss, runner-up behind Marina Of Venice at the Curragh on her debut, should go close in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden, but preference is for O’Brien’s newcomer, Hail Caesar, a colt by Montjeu.

The Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf Resort Hurdle won’t take a lot of winning and the nod falls on Oodachee, even if he was a trifle disappointing when well beaten by Eagle’s Pass at Cork.

John Kiely’s Fairy Field got his act together when cruising to victory at Fairyhouse and might be capable of following up in the winners’ Bumper.

Tipperary tonight has little to recommend it, with Invincible Ash a hopeful nap choice in the Castlepark Stud Maiden.

He showed plenty of promise in two outings as a juvenile and is entitled to come on from his rather belated seasonal debut at Dundalk last Saturday, third to Enigma Cove and Great Barrier Reef.

Noel Meade’s Dark Artist has some smart form over fences to his credit and should outclass the opposition in the Dennis Tarrant Sand and Gravel Chase, although winning pointer, Tylers Cottage, is an interesting rival!