Loughanmore plays host to what looks an ultra-competitive day’s action on Saturday for the fixture which 12 months ago saw the winning debut of the now three-time Grade 1 winner The Mean Queen.
Race 1 – Jacksons Butcher Shop & Bakery 4YO Mares Maiden
Colin Bowe has won five four-year-old maiden races already this term and he could hold a strong hand here with HIRELING having finished a fine third on the final day of last season. The winner of that race was beaten last Sunday in Tinahely, but she would still seem to bring the strongest form ahead of Monkgrange third Redbridge Rosie who does have the advantage of recent race fitness on her side.
Criquette and Dollar Bae both represent the stable that won this race last year with the now already three time Grade 1 winner The Mean Queen and they could well be of interest in this.
Race 2 – Dennison Commercials 4YO Geldings Maiden
GARCON DARGENT could be the horse to give the Denis Murphy team their initial winner of the new campaign as he went close in Dromahane at the back end of last season, beating subsequent winner Crypto Currency by seven lengths in the process. He sets a high standard in this.
Of the others with form Sporting Mike ran respectably in a decent looking at Tipperary and is entitled to have improved whilst Billable Grant brings point-to-point bumper form from the spring.
Race 3 – Tattersalls NH 5YO Geldings Maiden
KATESBRIDGE could bid for immediate compensation here having looked destined to get his head in front at Portrush just last Saturday when coming down late on. Providing that it has not left its mark, he would look the one to beat.
The Donnchadh Doyle pair of Blade Runner and Grandero Bello both made the placings on their respective debuts and enter this with live chances alongside Follow Your Arrow who was third in a big-field maiden at Grennan back in May.
Race 4- Waste Collection Services 5YO Mares Maiden
Cases can be made for a lot of these to ensure that it has a very competitive look to it, with OLDTOWN ANNIE a notable returnee. She has not been seen since finishing a close second at Portrush a year ago when trained by her owner. She has since switched stables and could open her account for Graham McKeever.
Carlotalin let down her supporters at Moira a fortnight ago when running off the course just after the midway point and is on a recovery mission here, where she could once again come up against Alpine Annie and Banbas Crown.
The former caught the eye when staying on take second after having made an error at a crucial stage on what was her stable debut, ensuring she rates as a danger alongside the four-time track placed Largy Princess.
Race 5 – Barclay Communications Winner of Two
William Tyndale had to be at his best to run the talented Ask DMan close at Portrush, however that came just seven days ago and he could well need to produce another career best here with a number of very progressive looking recent maiden winners potentially lining up in opposition.
That includes RED VISION who put up a big performance following a near two-year absence at Castletown-Geoghegan, a race which has already produced another winner. He could be the answer to this.
The Sam Curling pair of Coastguard Station and Wasdale Park are obvious threats, with Ballydam and Faith Loving others that cannot be discounted in a red-hot heat.
Race 6 – Move Right Therapy 6YO Geldings Maiden
A fourth at Ballingarry from EASCA MOR was a disappointing effort from him considering that he had chased home the talented Wrong Direction in a big-field Hunter Chase at Cork over Easter. With his stable enjoying a fine run in all codes of late, he is worth a second chance in this.
Dukehill is a live alternative having only been narrowly denied by his stable companion when return from an absence at Moira recently, whilst Five Dollar Fine and Is A Real Champ are others that could take this.
