Oxx set for evening treble

THE LAST Saturday evening fixture for what looks like the forseeable future kicks off at Leopardstown at 6.00.

The workload for stable staff caused by an evening meeting backing into a Sunday date may have caused the Irish Horseracing Authority to review its Saturday evening racing policy during the week, but tonight, for John Oxx's stable, there could be the satisfaction of three winners to ease their burden.

In fact, Oxx looks to provide the most interesting prospect of the day when Private Chapel goes in the concluding, and topically named, Druids Glen Maiden. This son of Selkirk is taking a drop in distance this evening which could be just in his favour.

At least early in the straight at the Curragh eight days ago, Private Chapel looked the likely winner of a 10-furlong maiden only for the complexion of the race to change dramatically close home with Kilbride Lad swooping late to beat Moving On Up, with Private Chapel, remarkably, only finishing third.

The selection's only other race was also at the Curragh back in April when he was fourth to Ciste over a mile. But on breeding and on performance so far, this seven furlongs should suit Private Chapel.

There is also the boost that a reading of the ratings does nothing to diminish his chance. Moving On Up has been something of a disappointment but still has gained a rating of 94 and finished only a short head in front of Private Chapel at the Curragh. A similar level of performance from Private Chapel this evening should be good enough to beat the likes of Bold Tycoon, third to Realt Dhun Eibhir in handicap over the Derby weekend.

Only three line up for the opening Brighton Race and the confidence shown in Ayers Rock when she went on to win at Naas last month should be justified again. Her length and a half defeat of Spirit Of Tara was a smart effort considering the regard in which the runner-up is held and the decent Rossmore Girl looks to have too much weight to concede to Ayers Rock.

The treble prospects for Oxx and stable jockey John Murtagh can be helped along by Wildflower Ridge in the Strathmore Maiden. The Curragh trainer runs three in this race but the jockey arrangements suggest Wildflower Ridge is the fancied one and a slight improvement on her two efforts at Cork and the Curragh this year should see her through.

Jim Bolger's horses have been in sparkling form in handicaps all season and in tonight's most valuable contest, the Pounds 10,000 Denny Gold Medal Handicap, Bolger's Graduated could be worth backing.

The five year old made his first visit to a racecourse since the end of August when running at the Curragh last weekend and in the circumstances put in quite a promising effort to finish a close sixth to Vivo in a good mile handicap. Quws finished just ahead of him in fifth but Graduated, with the benefit of that run should reverse that form and prove a danger to everything else also.

Riding arrangements also look to indicate the likely destination for the Glenalua Maiden. Christy Roche's judgement was magnificently vindicated with Desert King in the Derby and his presence on the back of Kincara Pal ace, second to Magical Minty at Gowran, instead of Festival Song and Gold Radiance looks to be significant.

Aidan O'Brien can complete yet another double as My Lorraine, impressive at Sligo and the mount of promising Colm O'Donoghue, looks capable of overcoming a poor-looking draw in the Sunday Times Handicap.

Abaco's supporters in the Ballinteer Handicap will be hoping the grey overcomes the aversion to the stalls that he showed at the Curragh last weekend, but if he condescends to be loaded, he looks a worthy investment judged on his previous success under Declan McDonagh at Dundalk.