Bold Discovery came good with a Listed success last time and can take another step up the ladder in the Group Three Meld Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.
The Jessica Harrington-trained colt had made little impression in the Irish 2000 Guineas in late May but bounced back to winning ways when winning a strong renewal of the Celebration Stakes earlier this month.
He beat a smart filly in Tarawa that day and the field was a fairly solid one in that mile contest.
The handicapper stuck him up to a mark of 109 after the win and that looks a fair reflection based on his performance.
Bold Discovery had looked a smart prospect when winning on debut last season before a solid placed effort in Group Three company on his only other outing at two.
He was runner-up in a Guineas trial on his seasonal debut but disappointed subsequently in the Tetrarch Stakes before his run in classic company.
It was interesting to hear Harrington say that he had been suffering with allergies earlier in the year and he rewarded connections' patience last time.
A repeat of that run would make him the one to beat now in the nine-furlong event.
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The potential improver in the field is the Joseph O'Brien-trained Trustyourinstinct who comes here having won both his starts to date.
It was a nice performance last time in Gowran to beat some more experienced types in a conditions race over this trip and he's well worth his place in this grade now.
Alfred Munnings could improve for his comeback run at the Curragh at the start of the month and may play a bigger part now but they all have to reach the level that Bold Discovery has proved he's capable of.
Harrington may also be able to collect in the following maiden with the well-bred Saturn.
The grey is a son of Galileo and superstar mare Alpha Centauri and shaped with promise when making a rather belated debut at the Curragh late last month.
He chased home The Black Tiger then and is entitled to come on a bit from that experience.
Earlier in the auction series maiden Courageous Strike is another likely to step forward from his initial effort.
The National Defense colt was a touch green when chasing home Port Louis on debut at Roscommon in May.
Adrian Murray's charge should have learned plenty from that and has had a nice gap before returning to action.
SELECTIONNEXT BEST
4.45: Local Girl Danvers Gold
5.15: Courageous Strike Sli Na Ghealai
5.45: Dabana Sunday Sovereign
6.20: Opera Singer Improvista
6.50: Longbourn Tea Olive
7.25:Bold Discovery (Nap) Trustyourinstinct
7.55: Saturn (Dbl) Kadeen
8.30: Union Flag Pinot Gris
