Frustrating Shield can finally shed his maiden status

Shield, a horse with a distinct liking for finishing second over jumps, can finally find his level in the Centenary Year Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

The simple facts are that Shield has been runner-up the last four times he has run over jumps and such horses have the capacity to send one to the poor house.

But, undaunted, Aidan O’Brien’s charge is set to get the full treatment today, on the basis he has a fair edge against these rivals.