A likely strong pace on here, not least from the well-drawn BRAINS who is taken to follow up a recent C&D win off a 4lb higher mark. Bellewstown principals Rockbury Lad and Pandion Power hold strong claims and others to consider include Finsceal Annie, El Bello and Notforalongtime. [Alan Hewison]
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Hit form with two wins last October on soft/heavy; encouraging run on much quicker ground at Bellewstown last month when third to Rockbury Lad under positive ride; 7lb better off with rider's claims taken into account so big chance.
Good AW campaign over the winter transferred to turf at Bellewstown last month, coming off pace then idling a little but holding on; had Pandion Power back in third (beaten 2.5l); 5lb higher but big player.
Off the mark on yard debut for Eamonn O'Connell in 1m Dundalk maiden in February, joined current yard after finishing third (behind Notforalongtime) in claimer there in March over inadequate 7f; return to 1m to suit on first turf start in 11 months but shocker of a draw.
Won twice on turf over 1m1f in 2023 (including here) and landed AW handicap last year; pick of four runs this year when only beaten 2.5l from a wide draw over C&D in March; draw again hasn't been kind here though.
Best effort a 1l third of 13 in a 1m Dundalk maiden in October 2023; poor form last year and just fair comeback run for current yard last month; badly drawn and others preferred.
Better AW performer, albeit at shorter trips; seemed to be ridden to get today's trip in testing conditions at Limerick last time; ground more in his favour here so don't rule out.
Maiden has been tried over various trips and on all types of ground; stays 1m1f and ran well over 7f in big field at the Curragh latest in today's headgear combination; place claims if overcoming wide draw.
Good AW form over the winter and transferred that to turf at the Curragh early this month, staying on well to chase home a clear winner over 7f, having been short of room; return to 1m to suit and one to consider despite high draw.
Gained eighth AW win in a Dundalk claimer in March and good turf run when second at Cork (1m, soft) last month; left with plenty to do over 7f at the Curragh latest, return to 1m sure to suit and still on a fair mark.
Won back-to-back claimers early last season for Ger Lyons; two runs this term for new yard on unsuitably soft ground so potential improver back on a sound surface.
Heavily raced eleven time AW winner was gaining his third turf success when landing C&D win in March off 4lb lower, despite racing keenly; should make a bold bid from good draw.
Habitual slow-starter whose five wins have all been at 7f; once again did himself no favours at the start on latest when strong-finishing third (Finsceal Annie second) at the Curragh early this month; well worth another try at 1m and wide draw may not be as much a negative as for others.
Some ability in 2003 season for Willie Browne; back from the best part of two years off when dropping out soon after halfway in Limerick maiden last month; best watched on handicap debut off what looks a high enough mark.
Handicap debutant; promise in a couple of maidens at 7f-1m at Dundalk but struggled on all four turf starts on a variety of ground, never counting on C&D debut for new yard in March.
Respectable form in three maiden outings; arguably best effort was when sixth over 1m at Gowran on her second attempt; not ruled out in her first handicap but high enough mark.
Both wins for Johnny Murtagh yard on AW, including claimer last October; some decent turf efforts last year but now 9lb higher than last turf run in September on first start for Noel Meade.
Lightly raced 3yo ran okay in a couple of decent maidens last season on decent ground; probably has a bit to prove off this opening mark on seasonal debut.
Only minor promise in maidens but handicap debut run at Naas last month hinted at more to come now upped in trip, staying on strongly after a slow start over 6f; potential improver.
First reserve; showed ability in a couple of maidens in 2023 for Roger Varian; not much of note so far for this yard though, including over C&D on penultimate.
