PERSIAN LOOKING PERFECT

RED PERSIAN must be strongly fancied to build on his promising debut run at the Curragh in the Foran Equine 2-Y-0 Auction Maiden in Fairyhouse today. The Haatef gelding ran a cracker for Patrick Prendergast on his debut at the Curragh when, an unconsidered 33/1 shot, he came home well to finish second to Beckford, a performance that suggested he won’t remain a maiden for long. That form has been boosted at the weekend by both the third Would Be King (runner-up in the Marble Hill on Saturday) and Commander Grigio (impressive winner of a Curragh maiden on Sunday). Verhoyen and White fountain fairy finished fifth and seventh respectively in Beckford’s race. And, although Verhoyen progressed, with the help of a hood, to finish second to True Blue Moon in a listed event at Naas, I expect Red Persian to confirm the form, while market moves for Beckford’s stablecompanion Only William would be significant. Although Dermot Weld’s, string is still struggling to hit top form, the Frankel filly Frima, a close third to Bumbasina on her debut in Gowran Park, has obvious prospects in the competitive fillies maiden which closes tonight’s card. Elsewhere, Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, above, were both in double form in Punchestown last night, sharing in the success of exciting four-year-old Lac Kivu, a French recruit, in the Festival Dreams Begin In Ireland With ITM Maiden Hurdle. The four-year-old is owned by London-based John Turner, best known as owner of last year’s English Greyhound Derby winner Jaytee Jet. Earlier, Mullins saddled Blazer (Mark Walsh) to justify 4/6 favouritism in the beginners chase for J PM cm an us. And Ruby triumphed on board Sandymount Duke, owned by Ronnie Wood and trained by Jessica Harrington, inset, in the Bet In-play With The Ladbrokes App Chase.