HIT WITH MIZ
Prendergast and Hayes are pair to follow
KEVIN PRENDERGAST and Chris Hayes could be among the combinations to follow at Gowran this afternoon.
The long standing alliance look to have several decent chances and could end the day with a double.
One who makes plenty of appeal is the Prendergasttrained Mizaah, who bids for a deserved success in the seven furlongs handicap.
This four-year-old hasn’t won for some time, but he has put together a number of decent runs in defeat.
Last time out he was a good fourth in a premier handicap at the Curragh and prior to that was just touched off in a sprint at Naas.
Furthermore, Mizaah is returning to a trip which is possibly ideal for him. It is worth remembering he was unlucky not to win a fair handicap over this course and distance last summer.
In addition he also showed up well to finish third to Colour Blue in a high-class seven-furlong handicap on Irish Champions Weekend last September.
Mizaah could have most to fear from Club Wexford, who notched up his second win of the season at Naas on Tuesday evening.
Prendergast and Hayes could also land the threeyear-old handicap with Butoolat.
This one has run to quite a solid level on her three outings this season and a race like this should be within her grasp. Her latest fourth to Sweetasever at Navan is solid form, while her runs in fair maidens at Naas and Limerick also read well.
Another trainer that could end the day with two winners is Aidan O’brien, whose Rostropovich is selected in the opener.
This Frankel colt had to settle for a midfield finish on his debut at Leopardstown last month.
That day he was noted putting in some decent work late on and his trainer’s twoyear-olds do tend to progress very well with racing.
Rostropovich has a decent draw and this earns him the vote over Medal Of Honour, who finished in front of him at Leopardstown.
O’brien can also land the three-year-old maiden with Spanish Steps, who has been placed on both his start this season.
Spanish Steps failed to justify odds-on favouritism at Cork last Sunday, but wasn’t disgraced in finishing second to Harrana.
A similar effort could enable him to overcome the twice raced Switch In Time.
Perhaps the most interesting race of the day is the concluding conditions race where Titus might succeed.
He wasn’t able to make a telling impression on his comeback at Curragh two weeks ago.
However, he is now down in class and he switches to better ground.
In the penultimate event it is hard to look past the chances of the improving Nimitz, who should relish the step up in trip from a mile.