Desert Haven returned to form at Leopardstown and he's strongly considered, as is Pier Pressure who was hot on his heels that day after being held up out the back. However, BUCANEER'S SPIRIT is on a good mark and today's ground will be far more suitable than at Limerick last time where he travelled well but didn't get home.[Alistair Jones]
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Won a 1m Bellewstown maiden at three for Johnny Murtagh; placed once for Joseph O'Brien last season; comfortably held so far for current yard but likely to come good again sooner or later.
Seven of his ten wins have been on the AW and he returns to turf after some good efforts at Dundalk; effective on this surface but he does look high in the weights.
Travelled well but didn't get home over the 1m at Limerick 17 days ago on slow ground; prefers this surface and he's not badly handicapped; tries cheekpieces.
Had been struggling over hurdles but returned to form back on the Flat when second at Leopardstown (7f, good) in a race he won the previous season; thereabouts.
It wasn't a strong maiden he won at Galway (1m, soft) but posted a useful RPR and he brings potential into handicaps; has been off since August so market confidence would be welcomed.
Three-time winner; did well to finish only 2l off the winner at Leopardstown (7f, good; Desert Haven second) having been in the rear for much of that race; Nicola Burns takes off 7lb this time and he enters the reckoning.
Won a weak 7f Dundalk maiden in November and again tried to make all at Gowran (1m, soft), only for the winner to sweep past late on; tongue-tie added this time; should give a good account.
Having his 60th career start; has won five times and did threaten on occasions last year to snap his losing run; ground would have been too slow on recent stable debut.
Narrowly won a 7f handicap on good ground at the Curragh a month ago but appeared anchored by this 7lb higher mark when comfortably beaten at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Narrow winner in a new tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination at the Curragh in March (1m, soft) and ran respectably off this 6lb higher mark back there next time; his apparent preference for slower ground is offputting and the tongue-tie is left off here.
Definite chance on last year's peak efforts and signs of returning to form when fifth after a troubled run at Naas on Saturday; that was over 6f but versatile trip-wise.
Reserve; solid thirds in 7f handicaps at the Curragh the last twice and this five-time AW winner can come good on turf at some point; chance if getting in.
