It's a long way from the gentility of Royal Ascot to the raucousness of Galway but it can prove a winning move for Winged Hussar, who is napped to wing home in the featured Guinness Handicap.
After landing a valuable handicap at the Curragh, John Oxx sent Winged Hussar for the Bessborough at Ascot and, on the turn in, he must have been blessing his foresight.
Winged Hussar was travelling extremely well and looked a likely winner. That he eventually only came third to Greek Palace was no disgrace as that horse may yet graduate to Group class, and there doesn't appear to be any Group candidates ranged against him tonight.
The rangy five-year-old is also at home in soft conditions, and with the form Oxx and John Murtagh are in at present, he must at the very least, go close.
Try For Ever was runner-up to Shantarini in Monday's GPT and rates a danger, as does Dermot Weld's Ulster Harp Derby third, Rajjaaf, but Winged Hussar is the selection.
The Oxx newcomer in the Smithwicks Maiden, Rite Of Spring, is reputed to decent, but the Weld-Michael Kinane team can gain their revenge with Fear- some Factor. This one hasn't threatened the judge in his two runs this season, but they have been in far better company and he should be primed for this.
Weld and Kinane also look set to land the Carlsberg Race with the Alzao filly, Alexis. She ran an encouraging debut at the Curragh a month ago when fading only in the last furlong to finish third to Fear And Greed and Delray.
The extra furlong of this evening's race should be ideal, and Weld should be aware of Artistic Blue's capabilities, having saddled Pharmacist to beat her at Leopardstown. Instead, Charles O'Brien's High Stakes, who ran close to Windward Rock last time, may be the main danger.
Tryfirion has won the O'Malley Chase before and is clearly in good form, having run fifth in Wednesday's Plate. Slight preference, however, is for Greenflag Princess, who finished a long way behind Tryfirion in the Plate, but she was prominent for a long way and could be better suited by the trip.
That's Logic can go one better than his second to Free To Speak in Tuesday's McDonogh despite carrying top weight in the Harp Handicap; while Monks Error is selected in the opener.
