Courage can collect
He has now been second three times in a row, that’s an obvious concern, but this is a weak race and an excellent opportunity.
The selection has been beaten by some useful sorts along the way, in the shape of the Willie Mullins pair, Djakadam at Limerick and Call Me Bubbles at Navan.
His latest defeat came at Cork at the end of March, when Gordon Elliott’s Bayan proved three parts of a length too good, after Courage had blundered two out.
In the context of this contest that piece of form looks easily good enough. Bayan subsequently scored on the all-weather at Dundalk, while the fourth, Spot The Pro, went on to record a clear-cut success at Cork.
David Wachman’s Bronte gets the vote in the opening Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden over seven furlongs.
She has, admittedly, been handed a terrible draw in 15, but is fancied to make light of it, in a weak race.
The daughter of Oasis Dream was beaten half a length by Tropical Mist at Gowran Park last time and the better the ground the better her prospects.
Wachman could also supply the answer to the featured Tulsk Handicap with the lightly raced three-year-old, Time For Action.
Successful in a maiden at Dundalk, he then stepped well up in class at Navan last month.
The Dylan Thomas colt emerged from that with reputation greatly enhanced, finishing fourth to Leading Light, Dibayani and Fighter Squadron.
Leading Light followed by landing the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh, while Dibayani won a Listed event at Leopardstown last Friday night.
