Quick Jack should be tough to beat
The four-year-old Footstepsinthesand gelding has shown much-improved form in recent outings and, having justified short-priced favouritism in a handicap hurdle in Listowel last time, should make a bold bid to register his second win on the level.
Quick Jack got off the mark when landing a Newmarket handicap in August (off a mark of 65) beating subsequent winner Nautilus.
He then started a strong favourite for a competitive handicap over an inadequate trip (nine furlongs) in Listowel but, having travelled well, he could not get to grips with Rich Coast, on which Johnny Murtagh got first run turning for home.
The strength of that form was shown when Rich Coast won a listed event in Cork on Saturday and Quick Jack, just 2lb. higher than in Listowel and stepping up to a more suitable trip, a mile and five furlongs, had an outstanding chance here, with Johnny Murtagh's mount Zip Wire probably the biggest threat.
A costly odds-on failure over course and distance last month, when staying on from off the pace to be beaten a length by Ebasani, Belisarius will be expected to recoup losses for Ballydoyle in the Bet Online At thetote.com 2-Y-0 Maiden.
Drawn one, Joseph O'Brien will probably make more of use of the Montjeu colt this time and, having shown plenty of stamina last time, he should be tough to pass.
The experience gained by the Jim Bolger-trained Intense Light, when a never threatening fourth behind three smart fillies, headed by Flying Jib, on her debut in a recent listed event at the Curragh, might give her the edge in the 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden.
