Get off to a flier with Learn
This sees two juggernauts of the game go head-to-head, with Aidan O’Brien’s Learn and Dermot Weld’s Riviera Poet taking each other on.
They have shown immense promise in their single outings to date and choosing between them is difficult.
Riviera Poet hasn’t been seen since making his debut at the Curragh in early May, when a creditable third behind Power and Remember Alexander.
The form of that contest has worked out really well, with Power subsequently taking a Listed race at the Curragh and then the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Remember Alexander won a Group 3 at Leopardstown last week.
Weld is bound to have Riviera Poet primed for this test, although it is a slight worry that he hasn’t been seen for 84 days!
In contrast Learn was in action last month, more than catching the eye when third behind his well-backed stable companion, David Livingston, at the Curragh. It is going to be fascinating, with final preference for Learn.
John Kiely’s Oneeightofamile is the choice in a typically wide-open feature, the carlton.ie/galwaycity Handicap.
He seems to handle most types of ground, but seems best suited by a surface which is on the quick side!
The six-year-old has been in good form of late, mixing it between hurdles and flat, and warmed up for this by scoring over flights at Cork last time.
The faster the ground the more one’s confidence would increase in his ability to at least go close.
The John O’Shea trained Devils Bit has plenty on, under a double penalty, in the HotelMeyrick.ie and the ghotel.ie Novice Hurdle, but could prove equal to the task.
He’s on the upgrade and was impressive when coasting seven lengths clear of Magical Memoir at Gowran Park on his latest appearance.
The Bumper is a hot contest, but a little on Jessica Harrington’s Maller Tree may not miss the target by too much. He looked a horse for the future when runner-up at the Punchestown festival and then his saddle slipped two and a half furlongs down at Killarney recently when third to Henry de Bromhead’s well-regarded Absolutelyfantastic and the gambled on Dr Tommy.
