Crystal set to sparkle
This Kevin Prendergast-trained filly justified market support on her debut at the Curragh last month, form boosted by the runner-up Free Judgement - a winner at Dundalk since - and the fourth Jan Vermeer, a Ballydoyle colt, which went on to record an impressive win in a competitive Gowran Park maiden.
Crystal Gal ran creditably in her only subsequent start, when well fancied for the Goffs Million Mile over tomorrow’s course and distance.
Having run freely on the heels of the leaders, she couldn’t pick up when it mattered and finished seventh behind Shakespearean, beaten little more than two lengths.
A daughter of Galileo, Crystal Gal handles easy ground and has a good opportunity to earn a listed bracket here, with Jim Bolger’s Akdarena, a close third to Corcovada in this grade, and Fairyhouse maiden winner Berg Bahn the likely dangers.
Dropping back to six furlongs, Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas runner Rayeni sets the standard in the listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes.
Beaten four and a half lengths by Mastercraftsman in the Guineas back in May, this John Oxx trained colt, unbeaten in two juvenile starts, was making his seasonal debut on that occasion and wasn’t seen again until contesting the Group 3 Solonaway Stakes over a mile last month.
Rayeni appeared to get tired that day, finishing a well-beaten fourth behind Border Patrol. Likely to strip fitter tomorrow and with ground conditions in his favour, he stands out in this company.
The Oxx/Kinane combination also have bright prospects with Galway listed winner Aliyfa in the Kevin Deering Lifetime In Racing Finale Stakes and Boss Rock, third to Gibraltar Blue on debut at Fairyhouse, in the opening two-year-old maiden.
With the National Hunt season grinding into gear, jumps action at Fairyhouse today and Limerick tomorrow will whet the appetite for many enthusiasts.
The Michael Hourigan-trained veteran Church Island, runner-up to Northern Alliance in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel and raised 4lb. for that effort, tops the weights in the Ladbrokes,com Munster National at Limerick.
In an ultra-competitive renewal, I’ll take a chance, each-way, with Henry de Bromhead’s Changing Course, runner-to Wins Now at Ballinrobe last time and a sound jumper, capable of figuring prominently off just ten stone.
