Sam’s turn has come
This will be his fifth attempt to get off the mark and the evidence of the three-year-old’s latest outing, at Fairyhouse, would indicate that his time has arrived.
The Galileo colt tried to make all of the running and had most of the opposition in trouble a fair way out.
The exception, however, was warm favourite Kastania, who wore down the selection close home and beat him a neck.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge seems to stay really well and should take a lot of beating, moving up two furlongs in trip now, compared to Fairyhouse.
John Oxx’s Sceal Nua shouldn’t be far away in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Handicap, the English import having made a successful debut in this country at the Curragh 19 days ago.
She stayed on strongly to beat Negotiate and Printmaker and the handicapper decided a 6lbs rise in the weights was sufficient.
The form could hardly have worked out any better, with both of Sceal Nua’s victims winning in the meantime.
James Motherway’s Define is the choice in the competitive Sheahans’ Bar Killorglin Handicap Hurdle.
Travelling well when parting company with his rider two out in the contest won by Abbey Glen at Listowel, Define has since performed creditably on the flat at Tipperary, dead-heating with Ghareer for second behind Asiya.
Colin Bowe’s Glibin can prove the best bet at Downpatrick in the Have You Met Ruby Mares’ Bumper.
She has been runner-up three times in-a-row, the latest coming when going under by a neck to Miss Accurate at Wexford.
Miss Accurate won a maiden hurdle at Sligo on Sunday, coping with hot-pot In A Nutshell in good style.
