Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
River leads Joe’s flood of runners
NARROWLY beaten over course and distance last time, Russian River should get off the mark in a division of the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden in Dundalk today.
Joseph O’brien has enjoyed a good strike rate with his juveniles on the polytrack in recent weeks. And, on a day when the Carriganog team has a strong representation in each of the maidens on the card, this Dandy Man filly looks his best prospect.
Sixth to Keeper Of Time in a Naas maiden on her debut, Russian River stepped-up over this course and distance less than three weeks ago when failing by a shorthead to catch 84-rated rival Sister Rosetta.
A reproduction of that effort, on a track where she won a barrier-trial in September, might suffice here.
O’brien’s New Moon Rising, an eye-catching seventh behind Hazel in a hot maiden here three weeks ago, appeals in the fillies maiden.
Stepping-up to a mile should help this daughter of Muhaarar, who might improve sufficiently to turn the tables on Split p Passion (fourth in the maiden won by Hazel) and keep 85-rated Give Her A Squeeze, back after a break, at bay.
And another O’brien juvenile, Jo March, fourth to Eylara in a Leopardstown maiden on debut, probably sets the standard in the second division of the six-furlong maiden.
Fresh from a double on Wednesday, Michael Halford, inset, might land the nursery with top-weight Mirage More, fourth to the impressive Isle Of Sark in a recent maiden here and now making his handicap debut, with Mikey
Sheehy claiming a valuable 5lb.