Progressive Chicago can get off the mark
The selection has been showing steady improvement and, being by Montjeu, should prove capable of handling the testing conditions.
He began by finishing fifth to Azamata in what was a modest contest at Leopardstown and then went off a somewhat uneasy favourite at Gowran Park subsequently.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge travelled really strongly for most of that mile and a half, but could not raise his tempo in the closing stages and was eventually beaten four and a half lengths into second by well-backed Macbeth.
It is no surprise O’Brien now drops Chicago down three furlongs in trip and that should hold the key.
John Oxx’s Hartani can provide the answer to the 12 furlongs plus TipperaryRaces.ie Maiden.
The grey son of Shirocco very much caught the eye on his debut at the Curragh eleven days ago and can surely be expected to build on that promising effort.
Oxx ran five in the race and two of them, Aklan and Ebazan, finished first and second respectively.
Hartani did best of the rest, filling fifth spot, beaten about eight and a half lengths. He was noted staying on steadily in the closing stages and moving up another two and a half furlongs in trip can only work in his favour now.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Race promises a fascinating little three-cornered tussle, which can go in favour of Tommy Stack’s Dylanbaru.
He made his debut at the Curragh, taking fourth behind Jim Bolger’s smart Dawn Approach and was two places and a head and a neck adrift of Canary Row.
The pair renew rivalry, but Dylanbaru is preferred, on the basis he has since gained further experience with an easy success at Dundalk and will be partnered by a capable 7lbs claimer in Shane Gray.
