DUFF LOOKS a horse best suited to running over seven furlongs and Eddie Lynam’s charge could be the one to dominate what appears to be a hugely-competitive Group Three highlight at Leopardstown this evening.
Just nine runners line up for the Ballycorus Stakes but they include the 2007 winner Lord Admiral who strictly on ratings has a fine chance of going in again.
A pattern race success for a horse racing in the colours of the late Vincent O’Brien would be hugely popular but at this stage of his career the veteran Lord Admiral may just need a little further to be seen at his best.
An intriguing starter is Joanna Morgan’s San Sicharia who finished runner-up to Lesson In Humility over six furlongs here last week.
However, the ex-Jean Claude Rouget trained filly was a winner over seven furlongs and a mile in France and is clearly on the upgrade. Along with the consistent Three Rocks and Dohasa she is a major player.
San Sichara faces a task on ratings against Duff whose front-running style looks ideally suited to seven furlongs around a bend.
Fran Berry’s mount is a winner at six furlongs and a mile and wasn’t beaten that far over six at York last time which was his first start since February. However, his best form looks to be at seven furlongs and this looks a good opportunity for him.
Johnny Murtagh rides Dohassa rather than Georgebernardshaw in the feature but he can team up successfully with Aidan O’Brien for Boxing Day in the seven furlong juvenile colts maiden.
Boxing Day finished fourth to his stable companion Alfred Nobel on his debut over this course and distance and has almost four lengths to make up on Montecchio who was runner-up in that race.
However, it is not just Ballydoyle’s older horses who are improving for their first starts and Boxing Day looks a type to progress significantly.
O’Brien introduces the Galileo filly Cabaret in the opening maiden while the David Wachman team unveil the regally-bred Storm Cat newcomer Lovingonyourmind. Dermot Weld’s Anaverna is another well bred two-year-old and crucially she has some valuable experience after a decent first start at Gowran Park.
