Loughmogue taken

LOUGHMOGUE probably would be suited by even softer ground than she is likely to encounter in the opening event, the Mollies Handicap, at Navan this afternoon, but the six-year-old may be still good enough to take the prize.

A course winner over six furlongs in May, when she provided her usual partner, Frank Berry Jnr, with his lone success to date, Loughmogue seldom runs a bad race. On her latest start, she was a close third to Nabeel and Ben Bruff and she meets the first two again here. But with more favourable ground, a good draw and with the highly promising Berry able to utilise his full claim, Loughmogue is fancied to come out on top on this occasion.

Check The Band, third to Desert Ease in a listed race at the Curragh, reverts to five furlongs in the Bohermeen EBF Race and should again finish in front of Mosconi, who showed good speed when runner-up under top-weight in a Curragh nursery.

Dermot Weld is doubly represented in the Batterstown Apprentice Maiden and it would be no surprise to see the pair fight out the finish. Ma Barnicle, a short head second to By Charlie Allen at Galway, will once again be partnered by Jayne Mulqueen and is marginally preferred to Tax Relief, who made a promising debut at the Curragh when second to Royal Midyan.

Although John Oxx introduces two newcomers in the Royal Tarn EBF Maiden, John Murtagh apparently partners Islamorda, who has revealed little ability in her two starts to date. Aidan O'Brien may have the answer in Mystik Day