IRISH ANGLE
Brian Flanagan NAP OF THE DAY
BLUEDRUM (3.30) looked a filly to follow when winning in nice style on her only start as a juvenile last season and although she struggled on soft ground at the Curragh last month she’s worth backing in the featured Kooyonga Stakes at Navan. Jessica Harrington has her string in great form and back on a decent surface the daughter of Blue Point looks capable of much better.
EACH WAY THIEF
UNUSUALLY, there’s a June jumps meeting at Punchestown today, where Shark Hanlon and his son Paddy can successfully team up with Balinaboola Steel (2.32) in the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase. Paddy (17), recently turned conditional and rode two winners in his first week as a professional last week. He’s good value for his 7lbs claim and this 12-year-old veteran ran well at Limerick last time out when making the frame.
ONE TO SWERVE
DESPITE Ballydoyle’s sudden surge of form, their filly EVERLASTING (3.30) may be worth taking on in the featured
Kooyonga
Stakes.
Although
City Of
Troy turned it around last week there’s no guarantee lightning will strike twice here despite this notable drop in class.
ONE TO WATCH
WITH the word ‘firm’ starting to appear in going descriptions, the blue blooded colts and fillies of Ballydoyle are starting to fire into gear and in today’s opening maiden at Navan they can score again with ALFRED TENNYSON (1.45). The son of Starspangledbanner missed the break on debut at Tipperary but caught the eye staying on into fourth and like all Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles will improve for his first run.