Joseph O'Brien holds a strong hand with his two runners. Galileo Sand holds leading form claims and the debutant CLAUDE makes plenty of appeal on paper with Patrick Mullins booked (5-14 for the yard). He is narrowly preferred. There wasn't much between El Diablo and Grey Jude at Ballinrobe and they both hold place claims, while the very nicely bred newcomer Midnight Jet is respected with Derek O'Connor on board. [Dave Stephens]
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One of two for yard; Caravaggio gelding bought back for 35,000Euros as a yearling; fourth foal; half-brother to winners Penner Ash (US 1m turf) and Zodiac Star (2m hurdle); dam 1m2f winner (RPR 92), sister to 2m hurdle winner, closely related to Ol' Man River (1m 2yo Group 2); eye-catching pedigree, Patrick Mullins on board; could go well on debut.
Sholokhov gelding is a seventh foal; brother to 2m4f chase-3m hurdle winner Sweet Street, half-brother to winners Something Sweet (2m2f-2m4f hurdle) and New Quay (point-2m3f hurdle); dam point-bumper winner, out of point winner; may need further in time but worth a market check.
Cheaply bought Outstrip gelding; half-brother to 2m hurdle winner Old Gregorian; dam 7.4f-2m Flat (inc 2yo/AW; RPR 72) and 2m-2m1f hurdle-chase winner, half-sister to bumper-2m4f winner Hello Bob, is granddaughter of Lincoln winner Hunters Of Brora; others make more appeal.
Second runner for yard; clear promise in both starts in bumpers at Thurles (2m, good) when a 5l third of 11 and Punchestown (16.5f, gd-yld) last month when a 6.75l fourth of 24; should be thereabouts.
Hillstar gelding is a fourth foal; half-brother to winners Sixandahalf (1m6f Flat, RPR 92; useful bumper/2m2f hurdle) and Lake Winnipesaukee (2m4f hurdle); dam 2m hurdle winner, half-sister to high-class bumper and 2m3f/2m4f hurdle winner Coolnagorna; nicely bred but hooded for debut; probably best watched unless the money comes.
Offered something to work with when a 13l sixth of 16 at 11-1 on debut at Ballinrobe (2m1f, good) last month when just behind Le Diablo, meeting traffic problems before staying on; place claims if building on that.
Stayed on nicely for a 12.5l fifth of 16 at Ballinrobe (2m1f, good) last month when sent off at 100-30 (Grey Jude 0.5l behind); yard 2-7 in bumpers at this track; should go well.
Maxios gelding cost 8,000Euros as a foal; fifth foal; dam placed in points/bumper, closely related to hurdle winners Cheiliuradh (2m4f) and Orchard Thieves (2m7f), half-sister to useful 2m hurdle winner Getoutwhenyoucan, out of unraced half-sister to smart chaser up to 3m1f Sparky Gayle; yard 1-31 in bumpers; best watched on debut.
Vadamos gelding; second foal; dam point winner, sister to winners Just For Joe (bumper/2m4f hurdle), Naughty Molly (2m5f chase) and On His Toes (bumper); worth a market check on debut.
Maxios gelding cost 47,000Euros as a 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to 2m hurdle/2m4f chase winner Mighty Moth; dam bumper winner, closely related to 11.4f/1m4f Flat and 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Perfect Summer, half-sister to top-class bumper and 2m hurdle/chase winner Marine Nationale; plenty of appeal on paper, top rider booked and respected on debut.
Sent off at 12-1 for debut at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) and ran a promising race to finish a 9.25l fourth of 24; drop back in trip on better ground should suit; each-way claims in first bumper.
Not a bad effort on debut at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in March but didn't back it up when beaten 76l at 40-1 at Kilbeggan (15.5f, gd-yld) seventeen days ago; can only be watched after that.
