O’brien’s charge can cash in

HIGHLY-TRIED this season, Threeandfourpence should prove too strong for just three rivals in tonight’s finale in Naas, the Golden Ticket Package Race.

The Aidan O’brientrained colt, winner of a Fairyhouse maiden in September, has faced tough tasks in all outings this year, including trips to Meydan and Churchill Downs.

Closer to home, he produced his best performance when finishing fourth, beaten four and a half lengths, behind Romanised in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, separated from the winner by stable-companions US Navy Flag and Gustav Klimt and with his chief threat tonight, Theobald, back in seventh spot.

Since then, the War Front colt didn’t enjoy the best of luck in running when eighth behind Without Parole in the St James’ Palace stakes in Royal Ascot. And this looks a suitable opportunity for Threeandfourpence to return to winning form.

Another O’brien-trained class-dropper, Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Could It Be Love has a golden opportunity to earn winning black type in the featured Yeomanstown Stud Stakes.

But the Ballydoyle filly has been beaten three times since her classic run, including a lacklustre effort in a Group 3 in York last time.

Although rated 13lb lower than the obvious favourite, I’ll oppose her with the Ger Lyons-trained Blue Uluru, a progressive sprinter, successful at Navan and the Curragh before finishing fourth to Battle Of Jericho in the Rockingham. She just might swoop late to collar the Ballydoyle filly.

And, despite a 9lb hike for a win in Fairyhouse last week, Joseph O’brien’s Focus Of Attention is napped to follow-up in the opening Bunoscionn Perform At Naas Handicap.

And, on what should be another good night for the O’brien’s, Joseph and Donnacha might also strike with National Glory in the six-furlong maiden.

This fellow has been consistent but costly to follow and bumped into a smart sort in Waikuku at Leopardstown on Thursday. His turn might have come.

Meanwhile, on a rare visit to Ballibrobe last night, Willie Mullins watched 4/7 shot Masons Daughter, ridden by Patrick, romp to an impressive, 18 lengths win in the opening maiden hurdle.

Mullins, who was bringing up his fastest ever halfcentury of winners, said: “We know she handles the soft, and this proves that she goes on summer ground. She did well to recover from that horrible mistake at the third last. We’ll go the mares novice hurdle route with her.”

Mullins struck again, with another mare, when 2/1 favourite Pleasure Dome, enterprisingly ridden by Paul Townend, outpointed easy-to-back Lord Erskine in the Investec Rated Novice Hurdle.