Mendelssohn set to hit winning note
This Galileo colt hasn’t been seen since May, when he started favourite for a Leopardstown maiden. But he shaped with plenty of promise, when finishing fourth to Sundara and despite his worrying absence, should be good enough to land a typical back-end maiden.
Returning after a near five-month break and dropping in trip, the Ballydoyle colt’s chance will probably be reflected in the market.
O’Brien’s juveniles will attract plenty of interest ahead of both maidens, particularly Giovanni Canaletto, a full-brother to last year’s Investec Derby winner Ruler Of The World and a colt who’s reported to be smart.
Opposition to this Galileo colt will include another well-touted newcomer, the Jim Bolger-trained McGuigan.
A fascinating duel is expected. And the Ballydoyle colt gets a hesitant vote.
The two-mile Win A Ski-Holiday Racecard Competition Maiden affords Dermot Weld’s Cheltenham Bumper winner Silver Concorde a good opportunity to make a successful return to action.
Third to reigning champion hurdler Jezki on his racecourse debut, Silver Concorde opened his account at Leopardstown last Christmas and produced a career best effort when beating Shaneshill in Cheltenham, form he failed to confirm in the Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown Festival.
Weld won this event with Hidden Universe back in 2011. And Silver Concorde, if close to full fitness, should prove tough to beat.
Aidan O’Brien’s Ruby Tuesday, one of eight three-year-olds in today’s line-up, might prove the biggest threat.
