Mast looks good in opener
Eddie Lynam has enjoyed a good winter on the all-weather — he is the leading trainer with 13 winners — and is sure to have the selection primed for this test.
The four-year-old won a handicap in some style here in October and later in the month stepped up in class in a Listed event.
He ran a cracker to be beaten half a length and the same into third sport behind David Marnane’s Nocturnal Affair and Kevin Ryan’s English challenger Breathless Kiss and a repeat of that will surely see him at least go close.
Charlie Swan has also enjoyed a lucrative enough winter with nine successes and the improving Discovery Bay could be another for him in the Irish News Hitting The Target Handicap.
He benefitted from the expertise of Nina Carberry when arriving late on the scene to land a handicap here two weeks ago.
Discovery Bay was raised 7lbs for that, but most of it is offset by the claim of Conor Hoban, who will surely delay his effort as late as possible.
Tommy Stack’s hat-trick seeking Kedleston gets the nod to defy top weight in the Irish News Boot Room Handicap. He has gone up 22lbs for twice winning easily at the track this year, but the booking of a 10lbs claimer should be a big help.
