DOUBLE BILL AT LEOPARDSTOWN AND LIMERICK: There are two Irish meetings today, with the Meld Stakes the feature tonight, when Famous Name attempts a ninth Leopardstown success. But Ballydoyle has other ideas.
Leopardstown: Of course it’s all about Famous Name (7.30), bidding for his ninth win at Leopardstown and back-to-back success in this.
But there’s a clear indication that tactics will change for Jan Vermeer, who tried tracking the leaders alongside Famous Name at the Curragh last time but blinkers are fitted now and Ballydoyle might well be thinking they can take the old timer off his legs by trying to make all.
The two-year-old test (6.25), won by Ballydoyle with Zoffany last year, is equally enthralling, with Zoffany’s yard represented by Vault and Tenth Star.
But this is the race for which Gentleman Jim Bolger saves up the best ammunition among his colts and all the signs are that Parish Hall can follow Teofilo and New Approach at least by winning this if not to Group-1 glory.
Bolger can make a big day of it by taking the three-year-old maiden (9.05) with the promising Alabelle, which I shall nap.
I also fancy Yellow Rock (8.35), well drawn for his handicap debut, with Gary Carroll’s mount, the paper favourite Hangar Five, out in the car park in stall 11.
Limerick: The conditions hurdle is fascinating, with Scene Of The Crash an impressive winner on the course last month but the young upstart, Table Forty Six, fighting fit from a run on the Flat recently and likely to be able to dictate to a small field.
King Of Redfield (7.20) is another who may not be headed. ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s Kilbeggan winner drops back in trip after trying to make all over 3m on today’s course last time.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Alabelle (9.05 Leopardstown)
NEXT BEST: Parish Hall (6.25 Leopardstown)
OUTSIDER: Yellow Rock (8.35 Leopardstown)
DAQ TRIO: Parish Hall (6.25 Leopardstown), Famous Name (7.30 Leopardstown), Alabelle (9.05 Leopardstown)
