Automated to lead the Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap
The selection, formerly with Clive Brittain, was well backed when making his debut for trainer Ger Lyons at Gowran Park last month and, for much of the 14-furlong trip, looked as though he would justify that market confidence.
However, his effort petered out inside the final furlong, suggesting the drop back to a mile and a half should work in his favour today.
When with Brittain, he ran on the all-weather three times and, while never placed, ran very well on two of those outings. That in mind, this surface shouldn’t be an issue, his trainer does well at this track, and the gelding has the more-than-able assistance of Oisín Orr.
Down 4lbs since his last run, he has plenty in his favour, and should give supporters a big run for their money.
Race three is a one-mile maiden for two-year-olds, and Agent Of Chaos can land the spoils for Andy Oliver and jockey Billy Lee.
The youngster made a really eye-catching debut when just held in a Curragh maiden won by subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Hit It A Bomb, but disappointed somewhat next time, behind the very exciting Blue De Vega.
Conditions may have been softer than ideal on the latter occasion, and the colt has plenty of time to build on that initial promise. Related to an all-weather winner, the Andy Oliver-trained runner can take this at the expense of Oromo, who wasn’t far behind him in that Curragh maiden.
The opener is a typically competitive five-furlong handicap, and the Tracy Collins-trained Chiclet gets the nod to get back to winning ways. Twice at winner at this track during a purple patch back in April, the filly has been lightly raced since, but ran with real promise on her return from a near four-month absence for a Curragh handicap in October.
Down to a mark lower than that which she was successful with on the second of her two wins here, the four-year-old has obvious claims. The daughter of Dandy Man is preferred to last year’s winner, Kimbay, who continues to run well and has also dropped to a mark off which she can score.
