TRENT IS DUE

Colt can make up for near-miss

A BEATEN odds-on favourite on his debut, the Ger Lyons-trained Trent should be tough to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2-Y-0 Maiden in Dundalk.

Record-breaking champion-jockey Colin Keane will be on board this Juddmonte-owned Kantharos colt, turned over by 33/1 shot Morning Soldier over course and distance three weeks ago.

Trent loomed large with a furlong and a half to race that day and looked likely to sweep past his rival but failed to do so and was beaten three-quarters of a length.

The Glenburnie colt, backed into 4/6 for his debut, should improve plenty with that run under his belt, giving him every chance of opening his account here.

But it won’t be easy as the opposition includes Henry de Bromhead’s filly Star Girls Aalmal, winner of a barrier-trial on the polytrack before making her debut in the listed Star Appeal Stakes, in which she shaped with plenty of promise before filling sixth spot, beaten little more than two and a half lengths.

The Joseph O’brientrained filly Brostaigh (rated 86) is another live threat. But Trent might improve enough to get the job done.

The Sarah Lynamtrained Royal Scholar, successful over course and distance on his penultimate start and now 8lb higher, might return to winning ways in the first division of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap.

Successful off 52, he was racing off a 6lb higher mark when running into trouble before finishing a close third behind Tara Power and International Lady here two weeks ago, doing his best work in the closing stages.

The strapping Slade Power gelding went up another 2lb for that most recent effort, which won’t help.

But there could be more improvement to come and, with Scott Mccullagh on board, the four-year-old might prove too strong for Accessory, up 7lb for his recent win over seven furlongs.

Having his fourth run since being claimed by Jarlath Fahey, ten-race maiden Stellar Spirit might belatedly get off the mark in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Leading Jockey Maiden.

Placed three times for Michael Halford, this 70-rated three-year-old Charm Spirit gelding disappointed on his first two starts for his current yard but, last time, dropped in trip, travelled well and looked a winner until collared close home by Spilt Passion in a sevenfurlong handicap on his return to the polytrack.

Keen on many of his races, Stellar Spirit travelled well and appeared to appreciate the stronger tempo last time.

So, racing over six furlongs for the first time shouldn’t be a problem today and this looks a good opportunity for Gavin Ryan’s mount.