Always Be True looks the pick

DAVID WACHMAN’S powerful string can confirm their return to form at Gowran Park this evening where Always Be True could upset…

DAVID WACHMAN’S powerful string can confirm their return to form at Gowran Park this evening where Always Be True could upset the odds in the Listed feature.

The 11 runners in the Hurry Harriet Stakes are headed by the consistent She’s Our Mark who has looked as good as ever to date this season.

Pat Flynn’s mare even put the Group One winner Casual Conquest in his place in the Meld Stakes on her last start but she will have to concede weight all round this evening to go one better than last year when runner-up to Katiyra in this race.

She’s Our Mark will still be a formidable opponent around a track she thrives on, even though on figures Chinese White will give her plenty to do.

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However, the unknown factor could be Always Be True who is also a course winner and whose current rating of 92 could be a long way from reflecting her true ability.

Despite a Classic victory with Again, this season has been somewhat hit and miss for Wachman who stopped sending out a lot of runners for a while in order to allow his horses get over a reported low-grade virus.

Things have picked up recently though with Latin Love winning a Group Three at Cork, Scrupulous scoring at Ballinrobe on Monday and three of his six other runners in the last week being placed.

With good ground being forecast, conditions could suit Always Be Truewho is Johnny Murtagh's pick.

Murtagh is on Listen's full-brother Purple Heart in the opening maiden but this Naas third may do well to cope with Mister Teeif ground conditions remain good. Mister Tee's second to the subsequent Anglesey winner Walk On Bye reads well in this context.

The convincing Galway winner Noble Galileohas been handed a mark of 87 for the mile-and-a-half handicap and that hasn't stopped John Oxx from letting her take her chance.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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