Williamstowndancer can deliver for Mullins at Leopardstown
Cill Mocheallog and Billy Lee winning the Societies Welcome At Gowran Park Maiden n May. Picture: Healy Racing
Willie Mullins, who was amongst the winners on the opening day of Royal Ascot, can be amongst them this evening in Leopardstown with Williamstowndancer, who contests the finale, the Racing With Pride Qualified Riders’ Maiden.
The now six-year-old has won a bumper and three hurdles, and even though she wasn’t at her best when third in a Grade Three Mares’ Novice Hurdle on her most recent outing, in November, the winner went on to win a Grade One.
This is her first run on the Flat but as a winner of a bumper, and also as a mare who caught the eye in what was a luckless run in the Grade Two bumper at the 2023 Aintree festival, she should have plenty of pace for
this discipline.
Her form suggests she can run to her best when fresh, and this doesn’t look like the strongest of races, and she can take this ahead of what is likely to be a busy and profitable summer.
Mullins’ other runner in the race, Pink In The Park, comes here off a much shorter break and the two-time bumper winner can give her stablemate most to think about.
Only 1lb separates the five runners in the Bingo Loco After Racing Handicap and the Paddy Twomey-trained Cill Mocheallog can come out on top.
Third at Dundalk on his debut, in March, the gelding made his turf debut last month at Gowran Park and prevailed by a short head from Ebanza, the pair a proverbial mile clear of the remainder.
The winner had to work hard from a high draw to lead early and though separated by the width of the track from the runner-up, won arguably a shade cosily.
There is plenty more to come from him, and this quicker ground should be no trouble. He is preferred to Sara Valentina and Chicago Fireball.
Even though his most recent form took a knock at Royal Ascot, Ephesus certainly has a great chance to get off the mark in the Skippio Maiden.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt finished third to stablemate London City on debut and went one place better when runner-up to Mina Rashid in a Chester Maiden on his second start.
Both lines of form, while not spectacular, are good enough to win a maiden, and this looks like a decent opportunity for Hugh Horgan’s mount.
4:45 Booklight
5:15 Chestnutter
5:45 True Statesman
6:20 Cill Mocheallog (nb)
6:50 Jazz Forever
7:20 Comfort Line
7:50 Ephesus
8:20 Williamstowndancer (nap)
4:45 Orchidaceae
5:15 Oriental Dancer
5:45 Rio Largo
6:20 Sara Valentina
6:50 Shining Aitch
7:20 Doctor Grace
7:50 Teofimo
8:20 Pink In The Park
