BOLINO STAR, a hurdler who has made steady improvement as the season has progressed, is napped to take the Lincoln Trial Handicap this afternoon at Leopardstown, where the new Flat season gets under way.
Winner of her maiden over hurdles at Navan in December she registered her third and most recent victory when beating two useful hurdlers, Noble Thyne and Mucklemeg, in a thrilling finish over this course last month on soft ground.
Bolino Star ran a number of fine races over wide a range of distances on the Flat last season but her lone success came on her debut run at the Curragh when she led early in the final furlong to beat Nordic Brief snugly in a 10-furlong handicap.
Idris, successful with top-weight in the Golden Pages Handicap over Leopardstown's nine furlongs in July, should not be inconvenienced by the ground and is likely to stretch Bolino Star, but the Treacy runner looks the part from what seems a reasonable mark in the handicap,
Dance Clear encountered considerable trouble in running in a Group Three event over today's course and distance in October and must be considered a most unfortunate loser. She is the only one left in from a strong entry from her stable for the Hudson Race and the hint may be worth taking. The probable danger is Nashcash, badly drawn when finishing an unplaced favourite in the valuable Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh.
Disqualified after beating Key, Change by a short head over today's trip at Leopardstown at the end of October, Clear Blue Water is worth another chance in the Spring Maiden. The first juvenile race, the March EBF Maiden, may go to the Jim Bolger runner, Beamingallover.
Friarstown Duke missed a maiden hurdle when Gowran was abandoned on Saturday. The competition will be much tougher in the Careysfort Hurdle, but the McCreery runner may still be good enough.
Lord Singapore continues to improve and is capable of giving the weight to Blazing Trail in the Silchester Handicap Chase. Fly Rosey is hard to oppose in the Glasthule INH Flat Race.
At Limerick, Whale Of A Knight should continue the good run of Arthur Moore and Frank Woods by taking the Limerick Racing Club Novice Chase. A reproduction of the form he showed when finishing third to Spankers Hill and Steel Mirror at Fairyhouse would give him the edge over Timbucktoo and Very Evident.
Lucky Bust ran well for a long way at Listowel in the race won by Flip Your Lid and is worth another chance in the Newcastle West Maiden Hurdle.
Favourite when runner-up at Downpatrick last month, Key West is chosen in the first division of the Alf Scott Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal. Wally Wallensky, third in the same race, may go close in the second division.
The Village Fancy ran well for a long way at Navan in the race won by Wadablast and may be the answer in the Bet With The Tote Handicap Hurdle.
