Bob on the upgrade
Viscount Nelson is rated 4lbs better than his opponent, but is not the easiest of rides and blinkers are again applied.
He was strongly fancied for the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes on his reappearance at Sandown and went off favourite.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt, however, came under pressure a fair way out and could only manage fifth of six behind Tom Tate’s Kings Gambit. He is passed over now, although it would be no great surprise to see him bounce right back to form.
Bob Le Beau is on the upgrade and straightforward, producing a career-best last time to land a Curragh handicap off top weight.
She’s Our Mark is the other of interest. The seven-year-old was a prolific winner for Pat Flynn, but this is her first outing for Dermot Weld and her best form is with plenty of give underfoot.
The nap vote goes to Eoin Doyle’s Knight Eagle in the jogforjockeys.ie Maiden Hurdle at Tramore.
A very useful sort on the flat, he has yet to translate his best efforts at that discipline to the jumping game.
He learned his trade through the winter months and, on a sound surface and getting two and a half miles for the first time, now holds prospects of delivering.
John O’Shea’s Gudnis Gracious Me is the one to beat in the August Racing Festival 11th-14th Beginners Chase.
She was beaten into second by Down In Neworleans at Roscommon last month, after rain through the evening had lessened her chances.
