Today's Tips: Ample Sufficiency looks a cut above rivals at Bellewstown
Given a fine introduction, he finished third behind Miss Gossip, who had been placed in two hot maidens on her previous starts.
Runner-up Hazamar is also highly regarded, while the talented, if a little quirky, 92-rated Santa Monica was just behind in fourth place.
That level of form reads well in the context of a Bellewstown maiden and if the Dermot Weld-trained runner has stepped forward for the experience, he’ll take a world of beating, despite a potentially tricky draw.
Mint Chai is an obvious danger, though the likes of Erysimum, Niven and Universal Focus are potential improvers, and must be respected.
The conditions of the final race suggest Manalapan are is the one to beat on his seasonal debut and first run for Dermot Weld, but Bantry Bay is preferred on this occasion.
The latter, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was disappointing at Roscommon on his most recent start, but had previously finished a close sixth behind stable companion Aloft in a listed raced at Royal Ascot.
He finished runner-up to another Ballydoyle runner, Doncaster Leger fancy Bondi Beach, on his debut, and shed his maiden status at the Curragh on his second start.
He has a bit to find with Manalapan on official figures, but there’s no reason to believe we’ve seen the best of him yet, and the cut in the ground expected here is no issue to him.
That may not be the case with Manalapan, whose wins have come of fast ground. He was a consistent and classy performer for Patrick Prendergast and any market support should be taken in a very positive light. He rates an obvious danger to the selection.
Aye Aye Skipper, who contests division two of the Eva-Tec Ltd Handicap, will be hard to beat in his attempt to reel off a quick hat-trick. The Johnny Levins-trained gelding was an easy winner at Killarney last week, and made light of softer condition and a shorter trip when following up at the Curragh on Sunday.
Up another 5lbs for that victory, he’s still well handicapped on the form he showed in Britain, and has the assistance of 7lbs claimer Donagh O’Connor, was rode him to victory at Killarney. Back up to a mile today, he will take beating. The danger may come from Botanical Lady, who copes well with cut in the ground.
