Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OPPOSE IF YOU DER
Weld’s got high hopes at Gowran
DERMOT WELD could be the man to follow on this afternoon’s card at Gowran where he looks to have good prospects of notching up a double.
The Rosewell House trainer can notch up his second success of the day in the concluding conditions race where he relies on Chiara Luna.
This filly was well fancied to run a big race in last month’s Irish 1,000 Guineas, but she didn’t run to anything like her best and finished down the field.
Previously the daughter of War Front got her season off to a bright start when she finished fourth to Who’s Steph in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. That run suggested Chiara Luna would be well able to hold her own in good company this summer and she can bounce back to form here.
She probably has most to fear from Strike For Freedom, who seemed to cope well enough with quick ground when he was second in a Naas conditions race just under a year ago.
Strike To Freedom hasn’t run since August, but that isn’t a major concern coming from his yard and he looks the biggest threat.
The opening leg of the Weld double can come courtesy of Laajidaal in the fillies maiden over an extended nine furlongs.
This daughter of Teofilo got her career off to a solid start with a sixth-placed finish behind Broadway at Naas.
She got beaten in a threerunner race last time, but that defeat should not be held against her as it came against the talented colt Arthurian Fame.
There should certainly be more to come from Laajidaal and she makes more appeal than the once-raced Curly.
That one only began her career at the start of the week when she finished third in a Naas maiden. She will need to improve on that showing to win here.
The opening two-year-old maiden looks a very tricky affair and many of the contestants have yet to run. However, a chance is taken on Christmas, who finished down the field on his debut at Leopardstown last month.
He will have to do much better this time, but Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles can often make huge progress from their first runs and don’t be surprised to see this colt go close.
Birth Of Venus showed up nicely on her handicap debut at Navan at the start of the month and that effort makes her the one to beat in the penultimate event on the card.
Sometimesadiamond has run well in some smart contests this season and Jim Bolger’s charge can secure the day’s most valuable event as she drops down in class to handicap company.