Clear Cut poised to open his account in Dundalk
This Acclamation colt, narrowly beaten in two maidens as a juvenile was considered good enough to contest the Group 3 Autumn Stakes in Newmarket in October.
And, returning after a winter break, he has been found a good opportunity to get off the mark, against just three rivals, including Mark Prescott’s 85-rated Bear Faced, from which he’ll be receiving 3lb.
Well-backed when beaten a short-head by Golden Pearl on his debut, Clear Cut was thrown in at the deep end at Group 3 level in Newmarket, where he finished sixth behind Gifted Master.
And he was a beaten even-money favourite on his return to Newmarket two weeks later, going down by a short-head to Chelsea Lad in a seven-furlong maiden.
Rated 88, Clear Cut has the potential to develop into a smart three-year-old.
And Kevin Manning’s mount is napped to beat Bear Faced, winner of a Lingfield before finishing third, off 85, in a Wolverhampton handicap.
Mandatario, also representing the Bolger/Manning combination, will be a popular fancy for the Coral.ie Race, despite dropping back in trip after a recent win over two miles here.
But preference is for Mark Johnston’s runner Watersmeet, a progressive performer last season and fifth to subsequent Winter Derby winner Grandisar in a trial for that race in Lingfield four weeks ago. He’s well-treated by the race conditions and sets the standard.
And Michael Halford might extend his impressive strike-rate on the polytrack with recent course and distance winner and top-weight Crazy Tornado in the seven-furlong, three-year-old handicap.
