Rare Stoute raider Abingdon can strike in Dundalk feature
A MICHAEL STOUTE runner in Dundalk is not at all common and perhaps punters can take the hint ahead of this evening’s feature.
The Group Three Koffy Diamond Stakes looks ripe for a raid and ABINGDON is a solid choice. Her rating of 108 brings her into the argument, a low draw can be key over this trip and she has Pat Smullen in the plate.
One of the star attractions of an interesting card is MOVIESTA in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Race. This looks a matter of turning up for Eddie Lynam’s course-anddistance winner assuming he runs to his mark of 113, so he should prove much too strong.
Joseph O’Brien has no fewer than 11 runners this evening and looks odds-on to leave the track with something.
He supplies the nap across two meetings. GREY WATERS has been thriving over hurdles and can revert seamlessly back to the Flat.
Perhaps the brothers, Joseph and Donnacha, can also take the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden with DARKOLVA, which was a shade disappointing last time but deserves another chance.
Smullen should also have a profitable evening as he attempts to edge ahead of Colin Keane, the pair locked together in the title race. He gets the steer on Gavin Cromwell’s admirable POLITICAL POLICY, which has long been happiest on the sand.
Gowran’s card is pretty classy, the feature the Pat Walsh Memorial Irish EBF Mares Hurdle, in which it is no surprise that Willie Mullins is the dominant force.
MYSTIC THEATRE has won four on the bounce, seven of her last nine, and she may hit the target again. That said, the ground is a concern.
The champion trainer holds the key to the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mucklemeg Mares Flat Race, riding arrangements notable as son Patrick steers Ainsi Va La Vie, with GLENS HARMONY Katie Walsh’s mount.
It appears as though the last-named has been tough to train but on ability she must be feared here. Stablemate Diamond Hill also runs and Patrick Mullins said: “It was a tough pick: any of our three could win.”
PROSPECTS
Charles O’Brien has prospects of a Dundalk winner in the consistent Nimitz and another at Gowran in the shape of JP McManus’ NAUGHTY BUT NICE, which warmed up for this with a pleasing run at 20/1 on the level. It is notable that her only win came at Gowran and she appeals as one with a bit of scope off 87.
While SHARPS CHOICE has been frustrating, he deserved his recent win and can give Mullins and Ruby Walsh another winner in the Bennettesbridge Handicap Hurdle.
Meanwhile, A Sizing Network finally broke his duck over fences in the Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase at Clonmel.
The Jessica Harrington-trained seven-year-old, which was having his 16th start in this sphere, made a bold leap at the last under Robbie Power to seal victory.