THREE MEETINGS, 20 races and a multitude of opportunities to lose your money may be the sceptical view of today's fare but the most significant evidence from the weekend can see prudent punters stay ahead of the game.
Dermot Weld's horses gave evidence of coming out of their sickness slump when Dance Design won on Saturday and Call My Bluff and Magical Cliche also ran significantly well in lesser races.
Smiling Brave reinforced the impression by winning at Gowran yesterday and Beautiful Fire can confirm it by landing the Erin's Isle Race at Navan today.
Group placed as a juvenile Beautiful Fire was an expensive flop at the Curragh in early April, behind Mr Lightfoot, but in the depths of the Weld winner-drought at the time that effort is easily forgivable.
Allowances could also be made for the grey's fourth to Lil's Boy in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial but, even on that form, he comes out ahead of today's rivals. They are hardly a particularly distinguished lot and Beautiful Fire at his best should have the easy heating of them. With his stable now returning to form, that should be the case.
Aidan O'Brien, in contrast, has hit the ground running this season and he looks set for yet another double. Marigot Bay was beaten by Fiddlers Rock on his debut at Leopardstown but should improve enough from that to win the opener, while Colonel Henderson, highly-rated but also beaten on his Fairyhouse debut, will take all the beating in the bumper.
Weld should also make a big impression at Down Royal. Lady Shannon's name was being barked by the dogs before her Curragh debut but could only manage a third to Royal Affinity. That alone would make her the winner of the five-furlong maiden but the expected improvement makes her even more attractive.
Shahrur disappointed over hurdles during the winter but is bred to be useful on the flat and can complete a Northern Weld double in the Cabletel Maiden.
The most crowded of the three tracks for runners will be Limerick but local trainer Michael Hourigan looks to have the solution to the handicap hurdle in the shape of Coolree Lord. Third to Gentle Mossy in a decent race at Navan last time, Coolree Lord had previously trotted up from Ecliptic Moon at Clonmel and on the balance of his form has a first-rate chance today.
Jessica Harrington is better known as a jumping trainer but Yonoka can give her a rare flat race victory in the Ad are Handicap. This one ran on noticeably well at Gowran to finish fourth to Playprint over seven furlongs and should be well suited by today's extra distance.
Michael Grassick was debating yesterday whether to run Tertia in the apprentice maiden. The filly finished fifth in a Curragh handicap on Saturday, a respectable effort considering she didn't appreciate the fastish ground. The going should be easier at Limerick and if Grassick elects to run her, she will take a lot of beating.
Tony Mullins's Ashjar was significantly backed at Listowel but could only manage fourth to Double Colour. The money could well be regained after the maiden hurdle.
