Weld targets Group success in Ballycorus Stakes with Big Break

Dansili filly set to get fast ground in bid to land prestigious Pattern showpiece

Pat Smullen aboard Big Break on their way to winning the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden in 2012. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Pat Smullen aboard Big Break on their way to winning the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden in 2012. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

It might be harsh to describe a filly capable of finishing fourth in a classic as having something to prove but Big Break looks to have a lot in her favour for tonight's Leopardstown Group

Three feature and can finally get her head back in front.

Dermot Weld’s Dansili filly looked a star in the making when winning the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown as a juvenile but has not won since.

Consistent performer In mitigation she has only once finished out of the first four in five subsequent starts

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– and that was when starting joint favourite for last year’s Coronation Stakes – among which was a fine effort in last year’s Irish 1,000 Guineas. But overall she hasn’t scaled the heights once expected of her.

The suspicion remains though that soft ground has not helped Big Break. That will not be an issue in the Ballycorus Stakes where Weld also equips her with first-time blinkers and Leigh Roche gets chance to secure a valuable success.

Line of form Top weight Brendan Brackan comes out ahead on

ratings but Weld should know where he stands considering Mustajeeb beat him here in April.

The opening maiden has been won by the last two subsequent Phoenix Stakes winners and Family Pride looks an interesting newcomer while the hurdles and bumper winner Fourni could be the one in the amateur maiden.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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