Zoom in on Zaralabad
Charlie Swan’s charge should be very much at home in the cut-and-thrust of this competitive test, considering he finished third of 29 behind Dani California and Silverhand in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in September.
But due to the fact he lost his form somewhat after that, the selection actually competes now off a mark 3lbs lower.
The six-year-old hinted at a return to his best at the Galway Festival, filling fifth spot in a valuable handicap won by his stable companion, Rajik.
The bare facts tell little of the story, though, because Zaralabad found all the trouble that was going and could never get in a blow in the straight.
He did stay on really well, however, and the form was boosted by the subsequent success of Aladdins Cave (sixth) and Bob Le Beau (eighth).
Aidan O’Brien’s Luxurious can take the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
She was a big morning-price and on-course gamble when beaten four and a half lengths by fellow Ballydoyle inmate, Spin, at the Curragh and gets the nod ahead of Jim Bolger’s File And Paint.
Chicago Grey, who missed an assignment at Tramore on the basis the surface was too fast, tries again in the Jameson Novice Chase. Obviously some rain will be welcome for Gordon Elliott’s charge, who gets the nod, having beaten Prince Erik at Galway.
