Drumin Orpen looks the pick

Leopardstown preview: The seven-furlong handicap is the most valuable heat at Leopardstown this evening and it looks a good …

Leopardstown preview: The seven-furlong handicap is the most valuable heat at Leopardstown this evening and it looks a good opportunity for the flying filly Drumin Orpen to win her fourth race in a row.

Joe Crowley's horse has been in prolific form recently and followed up two victories over seven furlongs by destroying the opposition over six furlongs at Cork on Sunday. Drumin Orpen is back to seven tonight, and also has a 5lb penalty for that Cork sprint success, but neither factor looks enough to put a stop to her winning streak.

Be My Queen ran seventh to Nightime in the 1,000 Guineas and considering she also ran fourth to her high class stable companion Queen Cleopatra here in April she must qualify as one of the best maidens in the country. However, that can change after tonight's third race.

Willie Mullins, always a trainer to be feared in amateur races, pitches in three runners in the last contest. Katie Walsh is on the veteran Adamant Approach but the trainer's son Patrick upset the apple-cart when Diego Garcia outran his stable companion Navajo Chieftain at Limerick over the weekend and he could do so again now with Warrens Castle. This one's first run since October resulted in a narrow defeat to Euro Leader here earlier in the month and there should be improvement for that.

READ MORE

Chanting was pitched into Group Three company for her debut at Naas and after looking very green early on she ran on to be a reasonable fifth to Brazilian Bride. She should be much better now although Anna's Rock will be tough to beat in the opener.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column