O'Brien set to hit form near home

This evening it's Round Two for the Tipperary Race Company as they try and revitalise the Limerick Junction track and while the crowds may not flock with the enthusiasm of last month when there was free entry, a couple of Aidan O'Brien-trained winners can make things worthwhile for those who do turn up.

O'Brien reintroduces the 525,000-guineas purchase Manhattan to racing in the £11,000 conditions race and the Fairy King colt is selected to beat just three opponents.

They include the Cork winner Shibl who comes here with a 95 rating and the Gowran winner Catz, who was fourth in a Stakes race to Anzari at Leopardstown last time.

Shibl looks the danger but O'Brien should know where he stands with him through Shoal Creek, and Manhattan did win very impressively almost exactly a year ago at Fairyhouse.

The other O'Brien hope is the juvenile newcomer Dietrich in the five-furlong maiden. The Storm Cat filly is opposed by Dermot Weld's La Stellina, hampered behind Millenium Love at the Curragh last time, and the Cork third Sweet Dilemma, but the O'Brien two year olds are now really starting to hit their stride.

The nap, however, goes to McDab who drops back a furlong from his last three races for the Glenvale Maiden. Pace was not a problem for David Hanley's colt at Leopardstown last time but he did look short of room at a vital stage when runner up to Montecastillo.

The David Austin Chase winner Feathered Leader steps up his Galway Plate preparations with a run tonight and although Arthur Moore's horse is prone to deceive and may not be ideally suited by the forecast "yielding" ground, he is quite a classy performer.

Pat Hughes's Dark Trojan ran behind stable companions Khaysan and Theseus on his last two appearances and before that had started an odds-on favourite under Kieren Fallon at Haydock last October.

He looks worth a look in the maiden hurdle while Carina Bay is a token pick in a competitive-looking bumper.