Good chance for Stonemasterto get his act together over fences
He was a very smart hurdler, often mixing it with some particularly smart sorts, but has yet to translate anything like his best form over flights to fences.
But the selection is only seven and runs here off a mark which is 19lbs below his hurdles rating. Sooner or later, hopefully, he is going to get his act together and there is a good chance it may be now.
That is based on a decent effort last time at the Cheltenham festival in March, when he contested the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle.
Stonemaster finished a highly creditable sixth of 28 behind Son Of Flicka and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility is currently a well handicapped horse at this game!
White Feathers, a modest performer on the flat, had taken nicely to jumping and can get off the mark in the Tullamore Maiden Hurdle.
She has three decent efforts to her credit, the latest coming on this track eight days ago when beaten a head by hot-pot Cause Of Causes.
At Leopardstown tomorrow Wrote can add another string to Aidan O’Brien’s Epsom Derby bow by landing the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.
He is the highest rated in the Group 2 and made a pleasing seasonal debut when third to stable companion, Daddy Long Legs, in the UAE Derby at Meydan at the end of March.
The Amethyst Stakes is best left to Dermot Weld’s Famous Name, who is always hard to beat around this track. You would have to say he was disappointing when a poor third to Penitent at Sandown last month, but this does look to be a weak affair.
Weld could also have the answer to a hugely competitive and tricky Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial with Yellow Rosebud.
She was progressive last season, finishing second to Maybe at the Curragh and fourth behind John Gosden’s Elusive Kate in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.
Paul Deegan’s Sharalam has a leading chance in the Live At Leopardstown Handicap. He had Midnight Music (gave 2lbs) three and a half lengths behind in third when three parts of a length second to Ansaab at the Curragh and runs now off a mark just 4lbs higher.
Killarney houses eight races tomorrow and, with big fields, winner-finding will not be easy. Bulgaden, who ran a cracker when second to Gordon Elliott’s Discoteca at Cork, is fancied to deliver in the Killarney Towers Hotel Maiden Hurdle.
Tony Martin’s Dara Tango, who flattered to deceive when beaten by Casimir Road at Cork, can go one better in the modest first division of the Ross Golf Club Maiden Hurdle.
