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Dublin, Ireland – Just 5 races will be held on Sunday afternoon at Portmarnock Raceway with the highlight being the second of the Irish Vincent Delaney prep races.
The programme kicks off with a 7 runner Class C&D handicap and represents a golden opportunity for Joe Haides WOLFHILL MAJOR to get off the mark for the season. A runner up last week in a very fast time, he should go one better this week and earn his red rosette at the expense of Meadowbranch Dewey and Cams Alibi.
Although seven go to post in the next event, the Class E free for all, this race looks to be a straightforward match race between STREAMSIDE STAR and Rhyds Rambler. Streamside has been running riot at Portmarnock in recent weeks and looks set to have a very bright future ahead of him.
Rhyds Rambler has done all his winning in the UK at Musselburgh and Appleby so his Irish debut is eagerly awaited. This clash will be one to savour and the Wallace juvenile is narrowly selected based on his course form. Of the remainder, President will be doing his best work at the end and can pick up the pieces if the top two burn each other out.
Nine pacers face the starter in the afternoons Class B, C & D handicap where last weeks impressive winner HEART OF STEEL bids to make it 2-from-2 at the venue. Alan Wallace takes over aboard Heart Of Steel from Ruairi McNulty in the sulky and this partnership look set fair to win if they can reproduce his debut performance.
Maximus Lad is dropping in the handicap and a win is imminent so he is likely to be a big danger to the selection whilst Afan RM ran well last week creeping into contention at the end of his race and could run a big race at very rewarding odds. Maid Of The West and Talavary Jewel are classy sub 2-minute fillies but it’s a concern that the colts could bully them out of this.
The penultimate contest on the card is the second and final Vincent Delaney prep race and although only 5 go to post, it’s a case of quality over quantity in this illustrious line-up.
All eyes will be on NEWTOWN ROCK here, and the unbeaten colt faces his sternest test to date here. Alicolt qualified and Meadowbranch Roman qualified very impressive last week and with improvement they could give the selection a big fright. Springhill Catch is another potential improver and can also make a big impression with the finals weekend just around the corner.
The day ends with 6 runner Class A to A5 handicap and although the US import Ideal Gift makes his Irish debut, he surely cannot give 50 yards of a handicap start to his rivals. Its arguably a safer option to make this a watching brief till the sub 1:50 star takes his chances in free for all off level terms.
BATH LANE was very impressive a fortnight ago in 1:57 and a repeat of this will see him win this with consummate ease. Maithi Buachaill can follow the selection home whilst Rhyds Boots looks booked for third spot.
by Thomas Bennett, for Harnesslink.com
