Fort Deely, who showed his battling qualities when winning at Galway last Thursday, has only a 4lb penalty to carry in the Essex Lawn Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon this evening and should be capable of conceding weight to his 10 opponents.
The six-year-old, who was having only his third run of the season, led two hurdles out and then ran on strongly when tackled by Native Fleck at the last for a length victory. The possible danger to Fort Deely is Ballymore Thatch, who ran well at Ballinrobe last month on his return to action after a long layoff
The Kris filly, Shakris, makes her seasonal debut in the Abbey Maiden. Unfancied on her only start as a juvenile, she led until two furlongs out at the Curragh in September before dropping right away to finish unplaced to her stable companion, Carlisle Bay. John Murtagh again takes the mount and Shakris is taken to beat the Gowran runner-up, Yudrik.
Quest For Best has her first run for the Michael Halford stable in the O'Gara Royal Hotel Handicap.
She revealed a certain amount of ability when with John Gosden, although her resolution has been questioned. The combination of a change of scenery and the magic of Michael Kinane might just be sufficient to coax a winning effort from her in what appears an ordinary contest.
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