Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BOUM OR BUST FOR MULLINS..
Willie rolling out the big guns
WILLIE MULLINS is set to unleash stable stars Al Boum Photo, Chacun Pour Soi, Allaho, Energymene, Appreciate It and Ferny Hollow this weekend.
Although his proven chasing stars hold multiple entries, Chacun Pour Soi is likely to target the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown on Saturday.
Dual Gold Cup victor Al Boum Photo is then set to face Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen in the John Durkan (Grade 1) at Punchestown on Sunday.
Allaho’s destination remains uncertain. But Energymene, such an impressive novice last season, when unbeaten in four starts over fences, including two Grade 1 pots, is expected to reappear in the Hilly Way (Grade 2) at Cork on Sunday.
As Mullins awaits the arrival of rain to ease ground conditions, exciting novice chasing prospects Appreciate It and
Ferny Hollow hold entries in a beginners at Punchestown on Sunday and the Grade 3 Klairon Davis in Navan on Saturday.
Today, Trent will be expected to get off the mark, at the third attempt, for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF median Auction 2-Y-0 Race in Dundalk.
A son of Kantharos, this Juddmonte-owned colt was sent off 4/6 favourite for his debut over this course and distance five weeks ago but failed to get to grips with 33/1 Morning Soldier.
Beaten three-quarters of a length, Trent meets his conqueror on 5lb better terms today and should turn the tables.
The Glenburnie colt was far from disgraced on his second start, two weeks ago, when trying in vain to get on terms with potentially high-class filly Star Girls Aalmal early in the straight in a similar maiden. He ultimately finished third, beaten a total of five and a half lengths, behind de Bromhead’s filly and subsequent winner Brostaigh.
Rated 84, Trent has been found a good opportunity here.
He should have the edge over old rival Morning Soldier and is rated 5lb superior to the only other previous winner in the field, Andy Slattery’s Doitforandrew.
Lyons and Keane should also be on the mark with the frustrating, 86-rated Jarvis in the four-runner opener, the View Restaurant At Dundalk Maiden.
A ten-race maiden, Jarvis has filled the runnerup berth four times, including narrow defeats by Hms Endeavour and Orinoco River respectively over this course and distance.
The Profitable colt will have most to fear from Johnny Feane’s Ano Syra, off the track since finishing fourth to Ladies Church on her debut at Tipperary back in June, when trained by Denis Hogan.