O’BRIEN CAN BRING IT HOME

A BEATEN favourite in Navan on Monday, Homesman should prove tough to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms Maiden which closes tomorrow’s flat card in Limerick. A War Front colt, trained by Aidan O’brien, right, he finished two lengths fourth behind Chronicles in a mile and a quarter maiden in Navan, giving the impression he would both improve for the run and a step-up in trip. Making a quick reappearance, over an extra furlong, Homesman had only run once prior to his Navan effort, when chasing home stable-companion War Secretary in a Dundalk maiden in October. The selection looks a stayer-inthe-making and, with Ana O’brien in the saddle, gets the vote over the Ger Lyons-trained Buffalo Blues, a close third to San Remo in a recent Dundalk maiden. We’ll get an insight into the strength of that latter form when San Remo contests today’s ‘4 Of Us Play Live’ June 23rd Handicap, in which the Ballydoyle three-year-old might struggle against older rivals. Preference is for John Oxx’s charge Nonetheless, unlucky in running when fifth to Ace Of Diamonds on her seasonal debut at Leopardstown before filling the same spot behind Light That in Cork. Successful only once in 26 starts, the Jim Bolger-trained Club Wexford is due a change of luck following some solid recent efforts. Beaten a half-length by Beechmount Whisper at Leopardstown in his first outing of 2017, he then finished fourth to Rapid Applause in Naas and, last time, was a close third to Peticoatgovernment at Navan on Monday. His chance might come, under Ronan Whelan, in the seven-furlong Family Fun Day May 21st Handicap. The five-runner rated event looks trappy. But Andy Slattery’s Branch Line, beaten five lengths when third of four behind Glastonbury Song at Dundalk, might improve sufficiently from that comeback run to land the spoils.