READY FOR A GUST
Murphy star has ability to claim valuable prize Late can obliter-eight his rivals
IRISH RACING
One of the last six-figure prizes of the domestic Flat season has attracted some useful juveniles but it is hard to look past Joe Murphy’s charge.
He began his career with an encouraging fourth in a Gowran maiden early last month and several weeks later he bolted up in a six-furlong maiden at Fairyhouse.
That last display marked him out as a likely contender for this pot and the return to seven furlongs shouldn’t present him with any problems.
A lower draw would have helped his cause but Gustavus Weston still looks too good for these and his yard is in terrific form at the moment.
In the previous race, Yolo Again is a hopeful choice in what looks a competitive edition of the valuable Birdcatcher Nursery.
Yolo Again has already won twice this season for Johnny Murtagh and she indicated that she might still be improving with a decent effort in a Newmarket Group 3 last week.
The step up to six furlongs is a slight concern as all her runs have been over the minimum trip but she THE in-form Eight Till Late is the one to side with in the featured coopsuperstores.ie Handicap Chase at Cork this afternoon.
This €50,000 contest looks quite tricky but it could pay to go with Francis Casey’s good ground loving veteran.
The 10-year-old has been in fine form and won a conditions hurdle at Punchestown during the might just get away with the trip today. She could have most to fear from Recon Mission, who represents in-form trainer Michael O’callaghan.
This colt was a good winner of a Fairyhouse nursery last month and he followed that up with a fine second to All The King’s Men in the Listed Legacy Stakes at Navan on Sunday.
In the Listed Garnet Stakes, it is hard to look past Making Light, although she does have to bounce back from a below-par effort on Irish Champions Weekend.
The four-year-old was found to be lame after that and she is much better judged on the fine level of form she has shown throughout the season.
A repeat of her Park Express Stakes win here in March or her impressive Platinum Stakes win at Cork would be good enough.
In the Listed Bluebell, a hopeful vote goes to Bongiorno, who is a lightly-raced type and is open to plenty of progress.
The Roscommon maiden winner showed up well to take fourth in last month’s Oyster Stakes at Galway and that effort entitles her to make her presence felt.
Downdraft hasn’t been at his best of late but is worth chancing in the hope that he returns to his best. week. He has also been performing well in his recent chase outings and this earns him the vote over Penny Jane, who won a useful handicap chase at Galway last time.
Trainer Oliver Mckiernan could notch up a double and he can get off the mark with Famous Day in the three-mile novice hurdle.
This mare has plenty to find on ratings but he is getting a lot of weight from most of her rivals and she will love the ground and the trip.
Stablemate Cappacon has an obvious chance in three-mile handicap hurdle, with the step up in distance in his favour.
Court Maid cannot be opposed in the opener, Polar Present is a hopeful choice in the rated novice chase, while Doctor Duffy is the fancy in the last.