Sport

Neville Ring: Fields of Athenry won't lie low for Aidan O'Brien

Trainer Gordon Elliott is is doubly-represented with Cape Glory and From Frost. He is pictured alongside Jockey Bryan Copper
Trainer Gordon Elliott is is doubly-represented with Cape Glory and From Frost. He is pictured alongside Jockey Bryan Copper Trainer Gordon Elliott is is doubly-represented with Cape Glory and From Frost. He is pictured alongside Jockey Bryan Copper

THE Magners Ulster Derby is the feature at Down Royal and Fields Of Athenry could be all the rage for Aidan O’Brien.

The stoutly-bred son of Galileo finished a moderate seventh on his racecourse introduction at Cork last October but his demolition job at Dundalk last month was proof that he has improved markedly from two to three.

He readily put five-and-a-half lengths between himself and subsequent Curragh winner Game Set Dash on the all-weather and the second horse was deemed good enough by Ger Lyons to contest the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot yesterday.

But the handicapper must have been inspired to launch Fields Of Athenry into a handicapping career off a mark of 99, just 5lb below Thursday’s Brittania handicap winner War Envoy.

The last Ballydoyle winner of this race was Changingoftheguard in 2009, when he carried 8-7 and Colm O’Donoghue.

Maybe this year’s rewnewal is a weak one. Azzuri’s 8st 7lb this year equates to a rating of just 80.

Xebec and Tuk Tuk are the most interesting of those further down the weights but Fields Of Athenry, the only Ballydoyle runner from three acceptors, isn’t easy to escape given the way the conveyor belt is running.

The fillies take centre stage in the six-runner Ulster Oaks Handicap, in which Colour Rhapsody bids to successfully concede fitness to her rivals.

John Oxx’s daughter of Rip Van Winkle contested a warm Curragh maiden on her racecourse debut 12 months ago and looked every inch a smart middle-distance prospect when scoring at Tipperary in July.

She hasn’t been seen since but has been handed a potential winning mark of 82 for her handicap debut. Witty Repartee and Back On Top may give her most to do.

The Albany Handicap over the same trip is a tight little five-runner contest in which four hold serious chances, including Jim Bolger’s Thursday night Leopardstown winner Selskar Abbey under a 5lb penalty.

She might not be capable of confirming that form with fifth-placed Romantic who has just over two-and-a-half lengths to find and might do so here for Chris Hayes.

Hayes has solid prospects on Majestic Timeline in the opening five-furlong handicap where last year’s winner Calm Bay runs from an 11lb higher mark. Gradually coming back to form but still with enough to do, Calm Bay might have to play second fiddle to Magic Timeline.

David Wachman, buoyed by his Royal Ascot success with Curvy, will be more than hopeful that Independence Day can build on an encouraging debut fourth behind Air Force Blue in the two-year-old sprint maiden.

That Curragh form has worked out really well as Air Force Blue ran second in the Coventry and the second, third and eighth have all won since. Independence Day might have most to fear from Reckless Endeavour, third behind another Ascot winner in Waterloo Bridge at Tipperary.

Ask Dad could be the answer to an incredibly trappy 47-65 handicap over seven furlongs.

NO CHASES on Gowran Park’s National Hunt card this afternoon, with six hurdles and a bumper on offer.

It’s an attractive enough punting card but the two handicap hurdles are menacing.

The Jack Duggan Memorial Hurdle used to be one of the premier jumping events but, tucked away on a Saturday afternoon card in June, it has lost some of its appeal in recent times.

Gordon Elliott (right) is doubly-represented with Cape Glory and From Frost.

They finished first and second at Roscommon 11 days ago, with three-and-three-quarter lengths between them, but the runner-up looked distinctly unlucky when headed and hampered before the last flight.

The rider of the winner, Bryan Cooper, was advised to ride “with more care” in future.

Cape Glory was raised 6lb while the four-year-old runner-up, from 3lb out of the handicap, has gone up 7lb.

It is still tempting to go along with From Frost this time.

Elliott’s novice hurdlers have been farming the handicaps throughout the country and this one can follow the pattern.

Phantom Prince and Jarob are the other dangers apart from Cape Glory.

The other handicap is some 30lb below the standard of the Jack Duggan Memorial and presents a good opportunity for the recent Wexford winner Moonunderwater to make it a successful quick follow-up under a 6lb penalty.

Sharjah and Elis Gury are the pair to make it most difficult for him, but they are probably playing for place money.

The opening mares’ maiden might go to Davids Jewel.

She would carry plenty of confidence if reproducing her close-up second to Bitsandpieces over three miles at Tipperary.

That form looks rock-solid as subsequent Kilbeggan winner Duckweed was just behind in third and the trio were clear of the remainder.

Cecil Corbett has two fair runs to his credit in the last month and his Roscommon second to Gangster is indicative of progress.

He should deal with Pack The Punch in the other two-and-a-half-mile maiden. Vercingetorix should be another winner for Elliott in the four-year-old winners of one race.

Bluntly, he’s been disappointing since winning at Limerick over Christmas. Twice beaten at odds-on at Fairyhouse and Ballinrobe, he is facing a relatively easy task here.