Richard’s got hots for Pride
ALANS Pride should prove tough to beat in today’s Jake Carter Plays Live
June 22nd Handicap in Limerick.
Trained locally by
Richard O’brien, who has made such a big impact already this season, the six-year-old has won four times for his current handler, including a claimer on this track a year ago.
And he looked better than ever when making his 2018 debut at the Curragh last month, when he bolted-up in a seven-furlong handicap.
Raised 10lb., he attempted a follow-up at Leopardstown two weeks later and, in a race run a blistering pace, held every chance in the straight before finishing fifth behind Casimiro.
Today, Alans Pride races off a 1lb. higher mark and must shoulder 10-4. But this looks a good opportunity for the Footstepsinthesand gelding.
And he gets the vote to spark a double for O’brien whose Azzuri, second to Meagher’s Flag at Gowran Park on his first run for the yard two weeks ago, has solid claims in the Cliona Hagan Plays July 26th Apprentice Handicap.
The six-year-old which started his career with Ger Lyons, will be ridden by champion apprentice Oisin Orr and might have the edge over Near Kettering, a creditable second to Aussie Valentine at Leopardstown on Thursday.
And, a winner at Leopardstown off 61, Damien English’s Dance Alone might be capable of reversing Monday’s Roscommon form with Fox Dream in the Acoustra Plays Live 14th July Handicap.