Improving Royal Dane to get the trip

As warm up races go, Theatreworld has been handed a particularly sweaty assignment at Galway this evening when he has to shoulder 9-10 in the £25,000 Guinness Handicap.

Like last year, Theatreworld is using this as a pipe-opener for the Ebor at York where he almost had a sorry end last August.

The three times Champion Hurdle runner up met with severe interference in the `98 Ebor and unseated Cash Asmussen at the two furlong pole.

The plan is to return for revenge but Theatreworld is a notorious horse to get fit and this evening's race is bound to bring him on.

Despite that he did win this contest last year with just 1lb less although Michael Kinane rides instead of Paul Scallen and his claim. He will be hard to beat but at the bottom of the handicap could be the horse to do it.

Royal Dane's 7-12 is a reflection of his lack of comparative achievement to date but he looks a horse that will improve considerably.

A Leopardstown winner last year for Tommy Stack, Noel Meade looked to have him in good shape for the Golden Pages Handicap only for Royal Dane to meet horrific traffic problems on the inside rail.

He did appear with a chance at the two pole, however, and it's worth remembering that he finished on the heels of the McDonogh winner Tiger Shark in his penultimate start.

He is unproven over the 12 furlongs but has the shape of one who has a chance of lasting it out and his weight makes him look an attractive proposition.

The Leopardstown specialist Abaco is going right handed in the Harp Handicap but it's significant that the Killarney maiden hurdle winner goes on the level here and the fast ground and the stiff hill could be tailormade for the grey.

The Smithwicks Maiden only has five in it but it's an intriguing contest because of Aspiration. As a daughter of Sadlers Wells, she is not certain to like the ground especially since she finished lame last time out.

However her Gowran second to Catherina reads pretty well and the in form Jim Bolger would hardly risk her on fast going if he didn't think she would handle it.

The trip looks more suitable for Honey Trader than Greenhue in the handicap chase.