Takar can show his true colours
The son of Oratorio was quietly fancied to run a big race in that classic, but never threatened to take a hand, struggling home ninth of ten behind Power.
Chances are, however, that the fast ground was all against the selection and, with lots of rain forecast, he is likely to be far more at home on this surface.
Both his successes to date have come when there was plenty of give underneath. He won his maiden by eight lengths on this track in September and then made a winning reappearance at the Curragh in May.
If the market speaks in favour of Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo newcomer, Circle, then she is surely the most likely winner of the modest Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
From this range, though, the nod falls on Tommy Stack’s Romantic Stroll, who is clearly no flying machine, but will handle the ground, should it prove demanding.
She was outclassed when beaten four and a quarter lengths into second by One Fine Day at Listowel, but the form was boosted by the third, Custom Cut, who scored at Cork on Sunday.
The concluding Follow Leopardstown On Facebook Maiden is fascinating and may well provide a number of pointers for next month’s Galway festival!
The vote goes to Willie Mullins’ versatile Dare to Doubt, who relishes heavy ground and is well capable of racing up with the pace.
She has been a good money-spinner over flights and fences, but it is also well to remember that the now eight-year-old has also won two bumpers.
