Brian Boru can repel raiders

Racing/ News: Back on home ground Aidan O'Brien will be hoping that Brian Boru can get the Ballydoyle team back into the wining groove at the Curragh today.

Last year's St Leger winner has already contributed to the winning streak that inspired such confidence in One Cool Cat's Guineas chance on Saturday by winning at Leopardstown.

Like this afternoon's Group Three Golan Mooresbridge Stakes that was over 10 furlongs, a distance that Brian Boru still has something to prove at.

There was ultimately only three quarters of a length between him and Napper Tandy at Leopardstown and Brian Boru drifted noticeably to his left when asked for everything by Jamie Spencer.

Ranged against the Classic winner this time is Richard Hannon's Nysaean who won the Mooresbridge last year and should be in perfect shape after a second to Chancellor at Sandown recently.

Two of the five challengers for the Rock Of Gibraltar Tetrarch Stakes are cross-channel raiders but O'Brien can provide a successful defence of this one with Newton and Grand Reward.

Preference is for the latter who is beautifully bred. O'Brien has consistenly stated he believes there is more in the colt and Grand Reward can provide Paul Scallan with a valuable Group Three success.

There were more many shrewd judges who left the opening day of the season here convinced there was a lot more to come from the Ballydoyle two-year-old Russian Blue. O'Brien gives him a second start in the opener and the big boys in the betting ring could be out in force to take some short odds.

Michael Kinane is on Nysaean in the Mooresbridge and the champion should have another good day with Amiata who is 11lbs higher for a two and a half length defeat of Tubbertown Rose at Tipperary but significantly Kinane is on board again.

An ultra-busy Bank Holiday Monday also includes action at Limerick and Down Royal where Farinel can gain lucrative consolation in the three mile handicap chase.

The Arthur Moore-trained horse was fancied to go close in the Pat Taaffe Chase at the Punchestown festival on Thursday but could only manage sixth.

Considering the eight-year-old had won well at Fairyhouse before that it was relatively disappointing but the North's €42,500 pot this afternoon represents a good chance.

The smart staying hurdler Rostropovich is an interesting contender for the Beginners Chase and those waiting for the bumper might do worse than check out Nagm.