Absoluta gets the nap vote

With attention intensifying on the two-year-old crop and the ranking of their abilities, the running of Absoluta in this evening's Bank Of Ireland Maiden at Tipperary will be of huge interest to those who believe that Second Empire will figure highly in the end of year juvenile ratings. Second Empire earned a 20 to 1 quote for next year's Derby when he made an impressive winning debut at Leopardstown 11 days ago, and it was Absoluta who had the thankless task of chasing the colt home at a respectable, five-length distance.

The defeat was comprehensive, but time may well tell that Absoluta was tackling something of a mission impossible that day, and John Oxx's filly should break her maiden at the third time of asking tonight.

Second Empire's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, pitches the unraced High Estate filly Gamine against Absoluta and, while the newcomer is reported to be quite smart, Absoluta's racecourse experience should make the difference, a difference that O'Brien, in terms of the future, may not be too disappointed to see.

The Oxx percentage of winners-to-runners is operating at a respectable 25 per cent this season, and the Curragh trainer can continue the rate with Clarecastle in the ITBA Handicap.

Notching a winning bracket is the all important task with Clarecastle who, as a daughter of Caerleon and that truly brilliant race mare Pebbles, is a valuable stud proposition. Although making her seasonal debut this evening, Clarecastle showed enough in three runs last year, including a third to Token Gesture at Galway in September, to suggest she can take advantage of the weight allowance from the consistent top-weight, Celebrity Style.

It looks like it could be an evening of doubles. Aidan O'Brien's newcomer, Magic Dancer, would not have to be particularly special to go in first time of asking in the bumper, but most Ballydoyle attention will be on Theano in the seven-furlong Andersen Race.

Theano started a warm favourite for the Phoenix Sprint at Leopardstown last time but came home last and lame behind Cretan Gift. In the circumstances that effort is best forgotten, and if Theano can show the form that saw her run third to Ryafan in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in her previous race, she should pick up this contest.