Racing News and Leopardstown previewAfter Sunday's Gowran Park fiasco, flat racing returns at Leopardstown this evening where the Jim Bolger team can confirm their bounce back to form.
However, the fall-out from Sunday's abandonment continues with today's expected meeting between the various concerned parties not going ahead.
"The jockeys are unable to attend because it is Derby week and they are very busy so it looks like it will happen next week instead. But we are very keen to have Kevin Manning and Pat Shanahan there when it happens," said the Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan yesterday.
Manning's immediate focus, however, will be on tonight where he looks to have good prospects for a couple of winners.
Jim Bolger has already won this season with an English import and the beautifully bred Ibtecar might be able to do something similar in the mile and a half maiden.
By Seeking The Gold out of the Irish Derby and Oaks winner Balanchine, Ibtecar had only one unexceptional run last year at Newmarket. However, the opposition here are hardly earth shattering with the disappointing Prominent Feature and Montevideo looking the best of them.
The other Bolger-Manning victor could be Tasha's Dream in the seven furlong handicap. Being by Woodman, the fast going should not be a concern and Tasha's Dream does not look badly treated on a Navan fourth to Pepperwood.
Slaney Fox, proven on fast going with a win over hurdles at the weekend, might be the answer to the amateur race while Carlesimo could be the one to improve most in the nine-furlong handicap from a run at Naas last time.
