Damian English is responsible for three of the five runners in the €25,000 mile conditions race at Dundalk tonight.
Spearheading the team is Red Avenger, who immediately recaptured his old sparkle when sent to English, registering a hat-trick, but he fluffed the start next time and then didn't stay the mile-and-a-quarter trip most recently.
He is joined in the night’s feature by stablemate Tribal Path, who returns from a break, whereas the trainer’s third representative Bluesbreaker only appeared here last week and would seem to be out of his depth at this level.
The other contenders for this All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier are Michael Grassick's Texas Rock, absent since his two Curragh wins last Autumn, and the unbeaten filly Another Story, from the Sheila Lavery stable but not seen since winning here last May.
Another Story is well regarded and Pat Smullen is an interesting booking. Presumably she had a setback which sidelined he for most of last season and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suspect that she’ll improve for this outing.
She may still be worth siding with over Red Avenger and Texas Rocket, who is best treated at the weights.
Some familiar opponents do battle once more in the Weatherbys Rated Race.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained pair of Song Of Love and Udogo, and Ado McGuinness' Specific Gravity, have locked horns on a number of occasions this winter, taking their turns to scoop top honours.
Duchessofflorence was denied a three-timer by Song Of Love last time and is back for more, with Brokopondo another major player on the back of a course-and-distance triumph.
Duchessofflorence might just manage to turn last month’s neck defeat by Song Of Love around on 1lb better terms.
La Vagabond and Oakmont are also interesting.
Allography is another to renew rivalries, this time in the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden.
Michael Halford's colt was a good runner-up here three weeks ago and attempts to confirm that superiority over third home Sir Danilo and the fifth, Memorial Rose. He should manage the task.
A seven-furlong claiming maiden opens the card with Jessica Harrington’s Ely Place taken to thwart Hailstone, who has his sights lowered after performing with some degree of credit in handicap company.
Ely Place has perhaps a bit more scope to improve.
There are four handicaps on the card, all in the 45-65 category.
Times In Anatefka made a trip to Wolverhampton pay with a couple of victories in the space of three days, and is back on home soil as she seeks the hat-trick in the first half of the divided six-furlong version.
Red Star and Strategic Heights are the duo she has to beat while Oor Jock, sets the standard in division two.
In the mile apprentice handicap I like Try Again over Purple Party and Annagassan, while the concluding mile-and-a-half affair might see Free State getting the better this time of local hope Cristy’s Call and recent course winner King Christophe.
Neville Ring
5.30 Ely Place
6.00 Times In Anatefka
6.30 Oor Jock
7.00 Allography
7.30 Try Again
8.00 Another Story (Dbl)
8.30 Duchessofflorence
9.00 Free State
Next Best
5.30 Hailstone
6.00 Red All Star
6.30 Atlas
7.00 Sir Danilo
7.30 Purple Party
8.00 Red Avenger
8.30 Song Of Love
9.00 Cristy’s Call
