Bommerang Bill can make the most of step up in distance at Tramore
Continuous ridden by Ryan Moore wins the Betfred St Leger Stakes in 2023. Pic: Tim Goode/PA
Day three in Tramore and Boomerang Bill can get off the mark for his career by taking the Strand Inn Dunmore East Handicap.
With his third trainer, the five-year-old was off the track for almost five months before making his debut for Ross O’Sullivan, and there was distinct promise in his fifth-place finish behind Doctor Grace. It wasn’t the strongest of races, but he didn’t enjoy the best of luck in running and was noted doing some good work in the closing stages.
A half-brother to two very smart sorts, it is clear things haven’t gone to plan for him yet in his career but, as a result, he is off a very low handicap mark, and one which he should be able to exploit. He has joined a yard which could scarcely be in better form, and while winning at this venue often requires some luck, the step up to a mile and a half should aid his cause, and this is a good opportunity for him to have his turn.
Rauzan, who completed a four-timer over hurdles when winning here on Thursday evening, can claim a first victory on the level by taking the Dan Cowman Handicap.
In the Curragh, it is difficult to look beyond Continuous in the Group 3 Shoda Market Café Royal Whip Stakes. Winner of the Doncaster St Leger in 2023 and beaten just three and a half lengths into fifth place behind Ace Impact despite not enjoying the best of luck in running in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his final start of the season, he was off for almost nine months prior to his return, at Royal Ascot.
Given that he was entitled to need the run, it wasn’t a bad effort to finish fifth behind Isle Of Jura, and the form received a nice boost when the runner-up, Goliath, ran away with the King George on his next start. Dropping in grade, he should have no trouble getting off the mark for the season. The useful Caught U Looking can chase him home.
Grosvenor Square will be favourite to win the Group 3 Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial and is also hard to oppose.
Last time out, he was given a very positive ride, and it took almost the entire length of the Curragh straight for stablemate Tower Of London to reel him in.
While he will almost certainly be ridden from the front once more, Ryan Moore, who takes over in the saddle, is sure to apply a little more restraint this time and can get him home in front of Absurde.
In the finale, the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap, the Danny Murphy-trained Ostraka can put an overdue second career victory on his card.
On Sunday in Tramore, the Willie Mullins-trained Space Tourist can get off the mark over fences by taking the Victoria House Tramore Mares’ Beginners’ Chase.
A useful sort over hurdles, she won a listed race on her second-last start of last season, but was disappointing on her final start, in a Grade Three at Leopardstown.
Off from that Christmas outing until making her chasing debut last month at Wexford, she ran well for a long way but looked to need the run as her effort petered out and she had to settle for fifth place behind Monbeg Park.
Based on her hurdling form, she is capable of much better than that, and the benefit of the run and the return to mares’ company should see her in a much better light.
In what isn’t a strong race, she is hard to oppose. Costanuci and Iriskana can give her most to think about.
1:45 Treasure Isle
2:15 Jon Riggens
2:50 Gannas
3:25 Boutella
4:00 Continuous
4:35 Grosvenor Square
5:10 Gosford
5:45 Ostraka
1:45 Saratoga Special
2:15 Mehmar
2:50 Annie Lavinia
3:25 Eric Lock
4:00 Caught U Looking
4:35 Absurde
5:10 Thrifty Of Digby
5:45 Saturn Seven
5:00 Riviera Queen
5:30 The Ginger Wizard
6:00 Polaris Dancer
6:30 Boomerang Bill (nap)
7:00 Out On Friday
7:30 New Year Honours
8:00 Rauzan (nb)
5:00 Inspire Hope
5:30 Redwood Queen
6:00 Don’t Do Dramas
6:30 Thefullbackline
7:00 By Your Side
7:30 Busselton
8:00 Tannery Park
2:03 Immelmann
2:33 Mater Matuta
3:03 Suttons Hill (nb)
3:33 Space Tourist (nap)
4:03 Garde La Peche
4:33 Falcon Park
5:03 Marie’s March
2:03 Joueuse Royale
2:33 Blackstone Cliff
3:03 Where’s Nanny
3:33 Costanuci
4:03 Tullyveery Lad
4:33 Prince Of Air
5:03 El Fabienne
