Tourist has bumped into some smart sorts in maidens this year and can gain a deserved win at Dundalk on Wednesday.
The Ger Lyons-trained colt has been placed in all three of his outings to date and chased home subsequent Royal Ascot winner River Tiber on the middle of those runs.
On his most recent outing at Navan in August he was turned over at a short price and the ground may have just gone a bit on him that day.
It was still a decent effort to finish third to Francis Meynell then and that form looks solid as well.
Read More:
[ The Inside Line: Take Teraabb to strike for Charlie Fellowes at LingfieldOpens in new window ]
The runner-up Emerald Banner has been second twice since, including pushing Alabama close here in a conditions race in September.
This surface looks like it should suit Tourist, who travels well in his races. He is by Australian sprinter Zoustar out of multiple stakes winner Ainippe.
A step up in trip here would be a slight question mark now but his dam posted probably her best effort over seven, when winning the Brownstown Stakes.
It could be a deep enough maiden for the track and Ballydoyle colt Greenfinch commands respect.
He stepped forward nicely from his debut run when chasing home the impressive Porters Place at the Curragh last month and it looks significant that Aidan O’Brien sends him up here for a better surface now.
Paddy Twomey has a terrific strike-rate with newcomers this season and money for Red Hugh O’Donnell would obviously be noteworthy.
He is by Dark Angel and his dam was Listed and Group Three-placed.
Lyons may also be able to strike with Fairytale Princess.
The Camelot filly won on her penultimate outing here before finishing second over this mile-and-a-half trip a week later.
She is only a pound higher now and looks capable of striking again on this surface.
In the six-furlong auction maiden Take Me To Church looks the one to beat on recent form.
Jack Davison’s charge chased home Goal Exceeded at Naas last month and a repeat of that effort may be good enough now.
That looked like a decent maiden with Curragh runner-up Il Pellegrino behind him in third that day.
Take Me To Church seemed to appreciate dropping back to six furlongs and this looks like a winnable opportunity now.
SELECTIONS
2.00 Brains
2.30 Rockbury Lad
3.00 Take Me To Church
3.30 Tourist (Nap)
4.00 International Lady
4.35 Pulse of Shanghai
5.05 Fairytale Princess (Dbl)
5.35 Velvet And Vine
