Leblon poised to fulfil promise
Up-and-coming trainer John O’Shea has done a fine job with the four-year-old, who used to be in the care of David Wachman on the flat.
The daughter of Dansili signed off last year with a reasonable effort, third to Carlito Brigante and Alaivan in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown at Christmas, and was then given a break until reappearing at the Punchestown Festival towards the end of April.
Going off a 25-1 shot, Leblon produced a performance which was far in advance of anything achieved previously. She ran a cracker to be beaten half a length into second by Willie Mullins’ well-regarded French-import, Tarla.
The likes of First Beauty, Sherchanceit and Model County Lass all have a life now, but if Leblon runs close to her Punchestown display that will be easily good enough.
Dermot Weld’s New Rules gets the vote in the Bumper. He was a costly failure at the Galway Festival back in July, trailing in seventh in the contest won by Honours Graduate.
But the Definite Article gelding looked all at sea on the soft surface and, given lots of time to mature, may be seen in a better light now.
At Tramore today, Kevin Prendergast’s Brazilian Beauty rates a good wager in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
She seemed a trifle one-paced when a close third behind Bellini Bliss and Bea Remembered at Gowran Park and an extra half mile now should be just what the doctor ordered.
The moderate David Wachman-trained Rocky Wednesday can find the opposition to his liking in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
He never promised to get competitive when fifth to Carraiglawn at Navan last Sunday, but down in class and up in trip may work the oracle.
Course specialist Bay Swallow, twice a winner here last season and third to South Wing at Wexford on her latest appearance, is the choice in the Lisselan Fillies Handicap.
At Kilbeggan tomorrow, Charlie Swan can continue his decent run by saddling Cloone Stream to win the Mullingar Beginners Chase.
A useful hurdler, the selection ran a nice sort of race first time over fences when seventh behind Loosen My Load in a far better contest than this at Punchestown.
At Listowel tomorrow, Dermot Weld’s Easy Mate may provide the answer to the Listowel Racecourse Handicap. Lightly raced, she hasn’t been seen grabbing Leblon late at Dundalk in September.
The daughter of Monsun may well be a filly with a future and fitness will hardly be a major concern out of this yard.
