Bob Le Beau should prove hard to beat
He is easily the highest rated horse in the contest and, if running anywhere near to his best form, will prove difficult to beat.
The selection ran well in another Listed event at the Curragh last time, although ultimately outclassed and beaten three and a half lengths into second by Viscount Nelson.
Prior to that he defied top weight to take a 19-runner handicap at the Curragh and, also at headquarters, had a remote rear view of the talented, but over-hyped, So You Think.
David Wachman’s Gonebeyondthemoon can provide the answer to a weak looking Irish Mirror Maiden.
Lightly raced, she made a solid start to the season at Navan when fourth behind Laughing, after travelling like a dream and then tiring in the closing stages.
Aidan O’Brien’s Prophesy, in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden, gets the nod to retrieve losses incurred on this track six days ago.
He looked far from straightforward when beaten into third in a tight finish behind Tarcisio and Alkazim and, perhaps, the fitting of blinkers will now see him in a more favourable light!
John Oxx’s Kastania gets the vote in the Croom House Stud EBF Fillies Maiden. She didn’t perform at all badly when fifth to shock 33-1 winner, Terminal Velocity at the Curragh and should improve for the outing and stepping up almost two furlongs in trip.
The nap vote at Down Royal falls on Philip Dempsey’s Jacksonslady in the Lily’s Pub and Eatery Mares Novice Hurdle.
She ran the useful Dazzling Susie to half a length at Punchestown and the fact the third was a distance away was most encouraging.
Trabajo was impressive when winning by 11 lengths at Listowel and can go in again in the Bumper.
