Racing: On the face of it tomorrow's Cork feature, the Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes, looks a relatively poor race for its Group Three status but it could be worth betting that Magnolia Lane will produce a performance worthy of the €100,000 pot.
Among those in the 10-strong field with a rating, the Listed winner, Right Key, stands out with her 100 mark achieved over Hazariya at Naas. But the mile and a half contest looks ripe for an unexposed filly on the improve and Magnolia Lane fits that description.
There was plenty to like about the David Wachman-trained horse's debut at Leopardstown when only giving best close home to Scorpion. The latter's effort in last Sunday's French Derby throws a doubt over the strict value of the form but Magnolia Lane's display did look promising.
The full sister to the Coronation Cup winner, Yeats should relish the hike up to a mile and a half and significantly Kieren Fallon takes the ride despite Aidan O'Brien having both Queen Titi and Agenda in the race.
Other unexposed types to look at are Unique Pose and Whoneedswings but the combination of Fallon and Magnolia Lane looks good.
Fallon does team up with O'Brien in the opening six-furlong maiden where the Danehill colt Augustus John should prove hard to beat, especially since he has been switched from the following Rochestown Stakes to this apparently easier option.
Mick Channon sends his Salisbury winner, Ajigolo, to Cork for the Listed six-furlong event and on the back of Ba Foxtrot's achievements in Ireland already this year the move has to be noted.
The home team looks strong, however, and it includes Kevin Prendergast's Ugo Fire who put seven lengths between herself and the opposition on her last start at Leopardstown.
Also there is Eddie Lynam's promising colt Duff who drops back from seven furlongs over which he easily won his maiden at Gowran. The form has worked out okay but the manner was even more impressive and Duff looks a type to improve significantly.
Over the jumps, Tony McCoy travels for a number of JP McManus owned horses including the former smart bumper performer Martinstown in the maiden hurdle.
The six-year-old hasn't impressed over obstacles so far and it could be that the course bumper winner Clew Bay Lodge will be a better option.
Barry Geraghty had a dramatic experience on board Akshar at Kilbeggan last weekend but despite a kick to the knee the former champion jockey guided Dermot Weld's horse to a good win. Weld looks to have found another suitable opportunity for the former good flat campaigner in the conditions hurdle at Roscommon.
