Cliffs can reach new heights for Joe in maiden

THE once-raced Kauri Cliffs, very green on debut, appeals in the Foran Equine Irish EBF 2-Y-0 Auction Maiden in Bellewstown.

The Joseph O’brien-trained Gleneagles colt did very little right on his debut in Galway.

After a good break, he was soon outpaced and found himself at the back of the field. Declan Mcdonogh opted to come around the field on the approach to the straight. The colt became unbalanced turning for home but, once back on an even keel, stayed on stoutly to finish third behind Lightning Jock.

Significantly, he had today’s chief threat Zozimus back in fourth on that occasion and is better off at the weights today.

Both horses should enjoy this longer trip and, in the hope that Kauri Cliffs will know a lot more about the job this time, even on this tricky track, he should take plenty of beating.

Most interesting runner today is probably Denis Hogan’s 93-rated Grammata in the five furlong Collierstown 2-Y-0 Maiden.

This filly has been second behind Dickiedooda twice in addition to finishing seventh in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and, last time, filling a similar position behind subsequent Lowther winner Miss Amulet and proven listed performer Frenetic in a listed contest in Naas.

That sort of form, and a rating of 93, sets a decent standard in a Bellewstown maiden.

But she’ll have to perform close to her best to cope with Michael O’callaghan’s less exposed Moon In Her Eye, fourth behind Frenetic and Ballyhane winner Chief Little Hawk in a listed race at the Curragh on her second start.

Seventh to Sweet Gardenia in the silver Ballyhane race at Naas on Sunday, Mick Mulvany’s The Blue Panther can defy top weight in the Tara Stud Nursery.

TOMORROW’S meeting in Tipperary hinges on a midday inspection today.

Ground conditions were described as “heavy, waterlogged in places” yesterday.

CHANCE Joseph O’brien’s Kauri Cliffs can in on his second run