Sublime can gain an overdue success

Cork and Roscommon tracks host evening meetings, and management at the former, which is being run in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys’ Fund and Mallow Hospital, are asking for a minimum entry donation of €5, all of which will go to the two charities.

The nap goes to Beau Et Sublime, who can gain an overdue success in the Eurona Brisknet Maiden Hurdle, in Roscommon. From the in-form stable of Tony Martin, he showed very good form on his first two outings in bumpers and has since shown real promise over hurdles, including when fourth behind Adimelo at this track on his most recent outing.

Although the winner disappointed in a hot race, last week at Galway, runner-up Little Haarth was on the mark at Limerick next time, and third-placed Tigris River shed his maiden status on Sunday at Ballybrit. That level of form marks Beau Et Sublime down as the one to beat today, in what looks a less-demanding race.

Four-year-old Brog Deas Nua, who didn’t enjoy the best of luck in running in a flat race at Killarney last time, may be the one to give him most to think about. He was runner-up on his only previous start over hurdles, and has the assistance of leading claimer Jack Kennedy.

Only Mine deserves a maiden success following two very good efforts, and she should get it in this evening’s opening race in Cork. Joseph Murphy’s filly really caught the eye on her debut, finishing fourth in a Curragh maiden, and ran a superb race to take second place, beaten less than a length by Most Beautiful, in a Group 3 for fillies, at the same track.

By Pour Moi, out of Listed winner Truly Mine, she sets the standard on that latter piece of form, and is open to further improvement. Although there are a number of unknown quantities in opposition, it’ll take a smart sort to lower her colours today.

The danger may come from Diamond Fields, who was well beaten on debut, though it should be noted she was sent off favourite for a race won by the very promising Leafy Shade. She’s surely capable of much better, and the market will provide a good reflection of expectation.

The Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes is the feature at Cork, and Easter can land the spoils for Aidan O’Brien. A promising sort last season, she ran well in defeat in all three starts this term, including last time at Killarney, where the trip was on the short side.

From a poor draw she was never able to get competitive there, but was noted staying on strongly into third place behind Off Limits. She looks the type to progress over today’s mile-and-a-half trip and, with blinkers fitted for the first time, looks sure to run a big race. Zannda and Altesse are both respected.

Eshera can take the Listed Platinum Stakes for Dermot Weld. A runaway winner, from subsequent maiden winner Aimhirgin Lass, at the Curragh, she can improve past the exposed runners, and account for another promising sort, In My Pocket.