THE majority of the horses on show at Bellewstown have achieved their recent form on better ground and the testing conditions could throw a real spanner in the works on Thursday.
One horse that will have no problem with the underfoot conditions is Whiteout, who looks a class act in the opening mares hurdle. She's not big but she got through proper winter ground at Gowran last February and this will be nowhere near as deep.
With an official rating of 133 she looks in a different league to her rivals and comes here off the back on a decent run on the level at Galway when she showed up for a long way in the big amateur handicap. She had beat a few smart mares at Punchestown in April and on that form she has little to fear from the rest.
Miss Dinamic has done well for connections recently but it's been at an ordinary enough level and this looks a much tougher test.
The featured Mullacurry Cup is often a decent enough contest and it has attracted another competitive field. Minella Berry makes his handicap debut after a cosy victory at Tipperary last month and doesn't look harshly treated.
Even judged solely on his hurdling debut at Down Royal last November, behind smarts sorts Rock The World and Velvet Maker, his mark of 121 is appealing. He may not have been over impressive last time, when strongly supported, but the result was never in doubt and he looked like he'd relish this step up in trip then.
His one disappointing run did come on soft to heavy at Fairyhouse but that looked desperate ground that day and you'd expect him to handle summer soft.
Deputy's Pass could be a danger. He was far from done with when falling on his debut over fences at Roscommon and switches back to the smaller obstacles now. He had won his maiden hurdle at the same track previously, beating a good yardstick in Cecil Corbett, and a mark of 119 doesn't look too bad judged on that effort.
New Kid In Town looks to have been handed a tough task in the three-mile amateur event later on the card. He appreciated the step up in trip at Cork last month but connections said then he wants good ground and carrying 12st 2lb now looks a tough ask.
Getting Late may be worth a shot. He appreciated stepping up in trip when winning at Downpatrick and it was surprising to see him drop again for Kilbeggan. This three miles now looks made for him.
Ultimate Horseman can be expected to maintain his run of placed efforts in the three-mile maiden hurdle with fellow Gigginstown gelding Catalaunian Fields looking too strong while the maroon and white colours can also collect in the 2m1f maiden hurdle with Fill Your Hands.
GARY CARSON
4.15pm: Whiteout (nap)
4.50pm: Fill Your Hands (dbl)
5.20pm: Castelo Branco
5.50pm: Minella Berry
6.20pm: Catalaunian Fields
6.50pm: Getting Late
7.20pm: Volvalien
NEXT BEST
4.15pm: Miss Dinamic
4.50pm: Comehere Hi
5.20pm: Black Label
5.50pm: Deputy's Pass
6.20pm: Ultimate Horseman
6.50pm: Na Tráchtálaí Abú
7.20pm: Its'afreebee
