FREE TO SPEAK has not won since his two year old days but he has run a few excellent races such as his one length second behind Al Mohaajir in a listed event at Tralee in August and an even closer second behind Idris in a similar race at Leopardstown over three weeks ago. Dermot Weld's charge is taken to defy top weight in this evening's Chapmans Volvo Handicap at the Curragh.
Free To Speak is set to give 22lb to the English trained three year old Double Diamond, the narrow winner of the Swiss 2,000 Guineas early last month and successful in a couple of nurseries last season. Ger's Royale cut little ice in the Royal Hunt Cup but previously beat Free To Speak's stable companion Silvian Bliss over this course and distance.
Like Free To Speak, the John Oxx trained Harghar has run well in listed races and won a seven furlong conditions race at Tipperary on his seasonal debut beating Identify and Sagar Pride. A reproduction of that running could see him go close. Meglio Che Posso won last year's corresponding race and Dr Beat recently won an 0-85 handicap over this course and distance. Free To Speak has Harghar to beat.
The Maynooth Curragh Supporters Apprentice Derby has attracted the Weld trained Layik, who won his maiden with consummate ease at Leopardstown, and L'Opera, who defeated two stable companions in a nine furlong maiden over this course. Layik looks very useful.
Weld may also win the Silken Thomas Handicap with Hamad who, having won his maiden at Tipperary, was a comfortable winner of a handicap at Leopardstown. Wood Leopard, the cantering winner of his maiden at Dundalk, could be the danger here.
It may be the turn of John Oxx in the Derby Festival Handicap. Garayiba, who divided Premier Projet and Rupestrian over this course last month, subsequently won a handicap by 15 lengths at Tralee. The Weld trained Treble Bob is an interesting runner but may need this race.
Sentosa Star is one to keep in mind for Galway's GPT Amateur Handicap. Trained by Michael Hourigan and a third winner for his 15 years old son Paul, the imposing five year old led shortly after turning for home and quickened away to win last evening's Eve's Fashion Store Handicap at Tipperary by two lengths from the favourite Cois Na Farraige.
"He is just coming to himself. He was a very raw four year old and needed time to develop," said the trainer, who saddled Sentosa Star to win a bumper by 10 lengths at Tralee early this month and followed up by winning an apprentice maiden at Thurles last Thursday. He will run at Killarney as a stepping stone to the Galway feature in which he will be ridden by 7lb claiming amateur Paul Moloney. All going seems to come alike to Sentosa Star.
Kuwait Bay, who promised well on his debut at the Curragh last season, could not have won the Glen Maiden with more aplomb. Tracking Cimarosa into the straight the John Oxx trained Mujtahid colt led a furlong and a half down and, with Johns Murtagh looking back for non existent dangers, cruised in to win eased down by two and a half lengths. "It was a nice maiden. We'll next go for a handicap over a similar distance," said Oxx.
Once the Mickey Flynn trained Angel From Heaven was set alight inside the final furlong she raced clear of the gambled on Ancaty to win the opening Railway Handicap and register a first success for 18 years old Co Kildare born apprentice Kieran Kelly. The Jim Bolger trained Rizzoli was withdrawn after banging his head and receiving a cut in the stalls.
Michael Kinane, rider of Dansk, who was struggling from some way out before finishing last, complained that the bends were sharp and difficult to ride.
Sir Big John, one of 15 horses in training on the Curragh by Kevin O'Sullivan, followed up his recent Gowran Park success with a facile win in the Monard Handicap. Ridden by Stephen Craine, Sir Big John led below the distance to beat Mannoori by three and a half lengths.
The consistent Katiymann held by a short head the challenge of Bob The Yank to land the Primus Advertising Handicap Hurdle. Up to 20 lengths clear on the far side of the track and six lengths ahead into the straight, Katiymann idled in front but rider Trevor Horgan claimed he had a little in hand. The Limerick Junction Maiden Hurdle was won by the blinkered Declan Gillespie trained, Conor O'Dwyer ridden Fraser Carey, who was 11 lengths adrift of the very useful Kates Choice at the previous Tipperary meeting.
. A new record for a store horse was established yesterday during the opening session of the Tattersalls Derby Sale at Fairyhouse. Acting on behalf of Large Action's owner Brian Stewart Brown, trainer Arthur Moore was pushed to 80,000 guineas to secure a four year old gelding by Lord Americo from the family of Scottish National winner Moorcroft Boy.
The previous record was 65,000 guineas fetched by Carvill's Hill's brother Archer in the same ring five years ago. "He looks a very nice horse but time will tell whether he is worth that kind of money," smiled Moore.
