Marie Celeste can sail in for Wachman
FRESH from his Royal Ascot venture with Curvy, David Wachman is tipped to collect on tonight’s less salubrious Limerick spread with Marie Celeste.
A Galileo full-sister to the Listed victor Gemstone, Marie Celeste will contest the extended mile-and-three-furlong maiden under Wayne Lordan.
She has a bit to find with Mick Halford’s Duchessofflorence on their clash over 10 furlongs at Fairyhouse last month, but she has the scope to find the couple of lengths required on what is just her second start.
Duchessofflorence, in contrast, has since been held for a sixth time in a row when beaten by Zhukova – which had finished behind her at Fairyhouse – at Navan. She isn’t one to trust, whereas Marie Celeste has enormous scope to improve for her debut turn.
On that occasion, Lordan brought her through to keep on at one pace. She wasn’t given too hard a time of it in finishing fifth, so she should progress for the experience now. If she does, then she could be very hard to stop over this longer trip. The same firm are also likely to have a big say with Flirt in the juvenile fillies’ equivalent.
The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade caught the eye when third over six furlongs at Fairyhouse, staying on in a manner that suggested that this seven-furlong journey would suit.
However, Spinamiss is preferred. Paul Deegan’s well-bred Lilbourne Lad filly was a fine second to Miss Katie Mae over six on her Curragh debut, when Vitello, which won Flirt’s race at Fairyhouse, finished third.
That constituted a really promising start to her career, so she has the potential to build on it now that she steps up to seven under Chris Hayes.
Ger Lyons’ Chenega Bay might be best equipped to take the opening mile maiden for Colin Keane, while Jessica Harrington’s Shane Foley-ridden
Hurricane Ridge appeals most in the two-mile-one-furlong handicap that brings proceedings to a close.
The brilliant multi-purpose Kildare handler might also take the bumper finale at Down Royal with Billy’s Hope.
Edward O’Grady’s dual bumper winner Prickly sets the standard, but he must concede 24lbs to Billy’s Hope when claims are factored in. After an encouraging Punchestown debut, Billy’s Hope should exploit that discrepancy for the trainer’s daughter, Kate.
Sizing Solution is the day’s nap vote in the card’s Galway Plate trial. Jim Dreaper’s unexposed seven-year-old was last seen over fences winning here in the autumn. He is nine pounds higher now, but he can defy that hike under Jonathan Burke following a recent pipe-opener over flights.