THERE are a couple of changes to the transferred Minstrel Stakes at Leopardstown this evening and Zarinsk gets the vote after being added to the field.
The Group Two race was moved from the abandoned card at the Curragh on Sunday and it looks a good move by Ger Lyons to let Zarinsk take her chance this time.
She is top-rated with a mark of 108 in the field and comes here in fine form this season with two Group Three victories under her belt.
The first of those came in testing conditions over a mile here in the the Cornelscourt Stakes when she beat a good field, including Tarawa who re-opposes now.
It was a good performance on her return from a short break when she showed serious gears to make all back at this seven-furlong trip on livelier ground at Fairyhouse.
The daughter of Kodiac is versatile ground-wise and this looks a good trip for her so she looks the one to beat.
A wide draw isn't ideal for a filly that likes to make it but she does break well so may be able to overcome that.
Tarawa will appreciate a bit more cut in the ground having chased home Bold Discovery on quick ground at the Curragh on her last start and she has to be respected.
Power Under Me, a stablemate of the selection, is a dual course winner and won a Group Three over a mile here in May. He's another that will appreciate the forecast rain and has to be on the shortlist.
It looks a competitive enough heat but Zarinsk can prove a class act again.
There are also two Group Three two-year-old races on the card and both tend to throw up good horses.
Ylang Ylang is unlikely to be much of a price in the Silver Flash Stakes after an impressive winning debut at the Curragh late last month.
Aidan O'Brien spoke highly about the daughter of Frankel following her racecourse bow and the £1.5million purchase could be a star in the making.
The following Tyros Stakes doesn't look as clear cut but Mountain Bear may be able to give Ballydoyle another winner in a race O'Brien has dominated in recent years.
He met some traffic in running before staying on again over six furlongs in the July Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago.
This step up to seven furlongs now looks like it will help the son of No Nay Never and we probably haven't seen the best of him yet.
GARY CARSON'S LEOPARDSTOWN TIP
(next best in brackets)
4.37 Brilliant (Ten Deep)
5.12 Ylang Ylang (Mysteries)
5.47 Mountain Bear (dbl) (Islandsinthestream)
6.22 Zarinsk (nap) (Tarawa)
6.52 Shihoku (The Equator)
7.22 Save Your Love (Carracci)
7.52 Waltham (Rapparee Champ)
8.22 Barometer (Folly Beach)
