WITH the promising Curragh winner Zagreb being held in reserve for a listed race over the same course at the end of this month, Dermot Weld relies on Touch Judge for today's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, an event he won with Humble 12 months ago. While it remains to be seen if the race will have any bearing on the outcome of the classics it does have interest.
John Oxx is represented by three runners and there will be plenty of support for the Charles O'Brien trained Truth Or Dare, by all accounts an impressive winner at headquarters last time out.
Touch Judge, a stoutly bred colt by Nijinsky out of Hush Dear, a good filly over 12 furlongs in America, won on his only start at the Currah where he led inside the distance to beat the little fancied Ryazana by a head. The latter subsequently cut little ice behind Ashbal over this course in October. Ashbal, who runs today, was himself beaten over the same course next time out. The form is hardly earth shattering.
John Murtagh rides Raiyoun in preference to Harghar or Aylesbury. Raiyoun, a son of Doyoun out of a staying filly by High Top, also won on his only start, this time at Gowran in August when justifying favouritism in beating Petasus, subsequently twice defeated. A big two year old Raiyoun could progress nicely.
The Royal Academy colt Truth Or Dare had five lengths to spare over Power Play when winning a mile maiden at the Curragh last month. The latter was not overly impressive when successful at Navan recently but that cannot take from the winner who in the light of two outings this campaign should have a fitness advantage over his principle rivals Raiyoun and Touch Judge.
John Oxx also has three runners in the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial of which Lacinia, who staged a promising debut at Naas last June but was since disappointing, may prove the pick. Certainly, I do not see stable companion Asmara turning the tables on her Athasi Stakes conqueror Proud Titania even on 3lb better terms. Aidan O'Brien's charge, previously a good winner of the Madrid Handicap at the Curragh, narrowly beat Zafzala in the Athasi Stakes, thus reversing Naas running of last season.
The Jim Bolger trained Dathuil has also won both her starts this term, more recently at the Curragh where she beat Proud Titania's stable companion No Animosity by a neck, form not franked by the latter's two subsequent failures.
Diali represents Dermot Weld and this Dayjur filly ran on well when winning by three lengths on her debut over seven furlongs at Gowran Park recently. She could be a very useful filly and Proud Titania may not give her 3lb.
Mohaajir, a listed winner over this course last year and six lengths ahead of the subsequent Ormonde Stakes winner Oscar Schindler when winning here on his seasonal bow, will not be easily beaten in the £20,000 Spring Handicap.
Stable companion ldris ran to her best when beating Burden Of Proof in the Group Three Gladness Stakes at the Curragh and will be backed to complete a Bolger trained double in the Amethyst Stakes.
However, preference if for the Michael Grassick trained Flame Of Athens, a lightly raced halfbrother by Royal Academy to Salsabil and Marju and successful in the Group Three Railway Stakes at the Curragh in July. A most promising colt he is likely to appreciate this mile.
Huncheon Chance recorded his first win on the flat for two years when justifying favouritism under Stephen Craine in the Axa Equity and Law handicap at Downpatrick last evening.
Trained in Ballymena by Ian Ferguson the six year old gelding, who won a two and three quarter miles hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting, made virtually all the running to hold Picard by a length. The 9 to 4 winner will turn out again today in the one mile and five furlongs handicap at 4.20.
"He hurt his hock last year at Sligo and was out for eight months before returning to action over hurdles. He's as tough as nails and will possibly go to Galway for a handicap hurdle in July, said Ferguson."
