Graduate set to make it third time lucky
The duo’s Notable Graduate is the nap choice in the Curragh Racecourse Members’ Maiden. He is by Galileo and a half-brother to Weld’s English 2000 Guineas winner of 2003, Refuse To Bend.
Notable Graduate ran once last season, finishing with a flourish when beaten half a length into second by the subsequent winner, Tiz The Shot, at Leopardstown in October
He made his reappearance at the Curragh 11 days ago and, although going off favourite, was light in the market.
In very testing conditions, the selection was again doing his best work at the end when two and a half lengths runner-up behind Aidan O’Brien’s gambled -on newcomer, Marksmanship.
That contest was run over ten furlongs and stepping up to a mile and a half now looks perfect for Notable Graduate.
O’Brien’s Justification, who was fifth behind Tiz The Shot and Notable Graduate at Leopardstown in his only outing as a two-year-old, has a lot of scope for improvement and is put forward as the biggest danger.
The follow Tipperary On Facebook Race, over a mile and six, is a fascinating contest, with useful National Hunt performers, Pittoni and Luska Lad, entitled to plenty of respect.
The nod, however, falls on Weld’s Galileo’s Choice, even if he hasn’t been seen since finishing fifth, under 10-0, behind Vivacious Vivienne in a competitive handicap at the Curragh back in May.
Anderiego is another Weld possibility in the seven furlongs plus Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden, having finished fourth on his seasonal debut behind Sing Softly at the Curragh last month.
Jim Bolger has made a good start with his juveniles and Cheerful Giver, a close third at the Curragh first time out, may prove another for him in the five furlongs Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
