At the start of this flat season, Dermot Weld predicted he might not have any three-year-old stars but that his Curragh yard would "spring a few upsets" through the term.
Weld was guilty of gross understatement, as so far there have been 54 "upsets", making him easily the top trainer in terms of races won. The last two of that total came at Leopardstown on Sunday, courtesy of Idilic Calm and Abaco, and the latter can spark off another double for Weld at Gowran Park this evening.
The big grey was an easy winner of a 0-80 handicap on Sunday, cruising home five and a half lengths clear of the well-fancied favourite Mystic Ridge. That was just his second race this term, so the quick reappearance in the Derrinstown Apprentice Race should not be a problem for this tough animal.
Declan McDonogh is among the leaders in a strong apprentice table and is an ideal partner for Abaco, who look capable of defying the 5lb penalty for Leopardstown.
Weld's stable rider, Michael Kinane, will be the one in the saddle for River Gorge in the Leighlin Nursery, and this colt looks worth forgiveness for a rather disappointing last effort.
After running second to Rolo Tomasi at Leopardstown and fourth to Mitchigan at the Curragh, hopes were high that River Gorge would break his duck at Roscommon last month. However, he ran wide into the straight and could only manage a sixth to tonight's opponent Speed Merchant. On that running, River Gorge has little chance, but it's worth betting that he's better than Roscommon suggested and that he can reverse the form with Speed Merchant and take care of the unlucky Galway third, Rainbow Amethyst.
The presence of Kinane on the back of the third reserve for the Goresbridge Maiden, Beckon The King, could be significant if there are some non-runners, but as things stand, the most noticeable booking is that of Christy Roche on Scariff Bay.
Stable companion Velazquez was a decent runner-up to the smart Anthem Of Love at Leopardstown but he is partnered by an apprentice, while Roche has probably been swayed by the fact that Scariff Bay lost both front shoes while running behind Suddenly at Naas in June.
The sole four-year-old in the Thomastown Maiden, Via Saleria, can continue the good run at this track for the Oxx-Murtagh team; while Markskeepingfaith, another Leopardstown winner on Sunday, can hump his 5lb penalty to victory in the Shell Pura Handicap.
Deadly Nightshade made a highly impressive debut in the Mendip Fillies' Maiden at Bath yesterday afternoon and left trainer David Elsworth dreaming of big-race glory.
The daughter of Night Shift was well supported in the ring from 6 to 1 to 7 to 2 before cruising away with the spoils.
"This filly is a natural as she's showed us she's a good speedy type at home," stated the winning trainer.
