O'Brien infection gives punters Punchestown quandary
Scandinavia & Ryan Moore win the Group 1 Comer Group International Irish St. Leger for Aidan O'Brien. Photo HEALY RACING
Despite saddling a Group 1 double at the Curragh on Sunday, Aidan O’Brien’s revelation that a low-grade infection has been troubling Ballydoyle in recent months provides an ongoing dilemma for punters: Back or avoid.
The next test of the wellbeing of the yard comes at Punchestown on Tuesday where the likely favourite of the opening race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, will be Exceptionally, a half-sister to 2024 Derby hero City Of Troy.
Winless in four career starts, Exceptionally clearly lacks the brilliance possessed by her half-brother but her form suggests she should be up to winning a maiden.
Having beat just one rival home on debut at the Curragh June, Exceptionally ran far better second time out, finishing a close third at Leopardstown, a position she again occupied on her return to the Curragh on her next start.
Last time out, she finished fourth, beaten just two and a quarter lengths, at the Curragh and while the form of that race doesn’t look hectic – the first and second have both been well beaten since – she can ran to a decent level.
And should she find a little improvement, she can get off the mark this time as long as newcomer Harita, trained by Joseph O’Brien, is not above average.
Noble Exhibit may be able to complete a quickfire Ballydoyle double in the second race on the card, the Punchestown Is Back Maiden.
The Frankel colt shaped well on debut at the Curragh last month, finishing third to the promising Monogram, a horse who finished second, albeit a well-beaten second, to stablemate Folsom Blues in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
And with the step up to a mile looking sure to suit, Noble Exhibit can get off the mark.
The nap comes in the Punchestown Premiere Weekend November 21st & 22nd Race where Minella Rockett can complete a four-timer for John Nallen.
Victorious over hurdles at Limerick in June, the New Bay gelding has since narrowly won twice in the Flat and his tenacious attitude should serve him well again in his search for another success.
1.40 Exceptionally (NB)
2.10 Noble Exhibit
2.40 Motta Alta
3.10 Minella Rockett (Nap)
3.40 Back Straight
4.10 Sweet Baby Zou
4.40 Lohengrin
5.13 Nephin Mountain
1.40 Harita
2.10 Francillon
2.40 Zaraahmando
3.10 Queen Of The Bogs
3.40 Xirivella
4.10 Oscar Nominee
4.40 Spiritofthedawn
5.13 Believe Believe
