BIG BOOM EXPECTED
Punters shouldn’t ignore Baba
LIGHTLY-RACED Baba Boom is a hopeful each-way selection to crown a good season for Johnny Murtagh in the Tote Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh tomorrow.
Progressive last year, when completing a hat-trick off marks of 59, 69 and 79 at Limerick, Fairyhouse and Galway respectively, the four-year-old chestnut was bought by JP Mcmanus after his convincing win at last year’s Galway festival.
And, gelded over the winter,
Baba Boom has raced only once this season, when making his belated return to action in the valuable Connacht (Amateur)
Handicap at Galway.
Ridden by Derek O’connor, he ran creditably, despite some trouble in running, to finish sixth, beaten just five lengths behind Great White Shark.
Baba Boom relishes juice in the ground and Murtagh has waited patiently for an opportunity for his charge in suitable conditions.
That day has come and, although he needs to step-up, the selection has room for plenty of improvement and, with Shane Foley in the saddle, I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t reward each-way support.
John Joe Walsh’s Davids Charm, unlucky too often in the past, has struck form with a vengeance in recent weeks, scoring on the flat (off 86) in Killarney in August before landing a valuable, handicap hurdle in Listowel and, more recently, making his Grade 3 breakthrough at Tipperary. With Gavin Ryan claiming 5lb., he’s a danger to all.
Willie Mullins (inset) runs four, with Nessun Dorma, fifth to subsequent Group 3 winner Kastasa on his seasonal debut making most appeal while Joseph O’brien’s progressive three-year-old Royal Aide and the John Kiely-trained Rock De Baune also merit consideration.
Tomorrow’s card features three listed events and Aidan O’brien’s Tango, fourth to Millisle in the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket last time, should prove tough to beat in the six-furlong Legacy 2-Y-0 Stakes.
The Denis Hogan-trained make A Challenge, one of the big stories of the 2019 flat season, is a hopeful choice as he steps into listed company in the Waterford Testimonial Stakes.
Successful five times in his last seven starts, he has rocketed up the ratings, from 57 to a current mark of 109.
And, on the evidence of his supremely impressive, six lengths defeat of Ardhoomey in a premier handicap over course and distance last time, he just might be capable of toppling solid yardsticks Flight Risk and Downforce.