Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
River can get back in the flow
BEATEN on his debut at the Curragh on Guineas weekend, the Aidan O’brien-trained Congo
River should make amends in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden which opens tomorrow’s flat card in Listowel.
The North Kerry track has seen many smart juveniles triumph over the years, including a number from Ballydoyle and John Oxx’s Irish Derby winner Alamshar.
While Congo River has a long way to go to be considered in a similar bracket, he was the subject of very favourable reports ahead of his Curragh debut.
Sent off favourite, the Mendelsshon colt failed by a half-length to Hellsing, with Mccauley’s Tavern (having his third run) a close third and Blindsided in fifth.
The trio clash again here. And, in the expectation that Congo River, the mount of Seamus Heffernan, is likely to improve most he’s the choice to open his account in a race which Ballydoyle won last year with The Acropolis – a runner in tomorrow’s French Derby.
And don’t be surprised if Joseph O’brien’s Starspangledbanner colt Vanguard Star, last of five on his Curragh debut behind Blackbeard, takes a significant step forward to prove a threat.
A major disappointment in the fillies handicap won by Fiach Mchugh at the Curragh last time, 80-rated Esculenta is expected to bounce back for Johnny Murtagh and Shane Kelly in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden.
Joseph O’brien’s
National Gallery appeals, despite a high draw, in the seven-furlong Croom
House Stud Handicap.
Dance Jupiter, without a win since October 2020 but sixth on his seasonal debut in Cork, makes more appeal than higher-rated but not entirely straight-forward Barbados in the finale, the St Johns Theatre Listowel (Amateur) Race.