Olympic Majesty looks good

THE only certainty about this evening's Group 2 Gallinule Stakes is that the winner will be trained by O'Brien

THE only certainty about this evening's Group 2 Gallinule Stakes is that the winner will be trained by O'Brien. However, although Aidan O'Brien is responsible for three of the four runners, Charles O'Brien's Olympic Majesty can prove the successful odd man out.

It's a disappointing turnout overall for such a good prize and it lost much of its lustre when Strawberry Roan was withdrawn after being found to be "a bit quiet in herself' when pulled out yesterday morning.

Christy Roche is now scheduled to switch to Mingling Glances in preference to Johan Cryuff and Plaza De Toros, but the colt that the leading rider knows just as well can outdo him.

There were those who questioned that knowledge, however, when Roche rode Olympic Majesty at Cork last month. Roche looked to give the Law Society colt an awful lot to do in the straight and the hot favourite could only finish third to Caiseal Ros. Before that, Olympic Majesty had sauntered to victory at Navan and on fast ground is clearly a horse of some ability.

READ MORE

Willie Supple takes over from Roche tonight, and with Johan Cryuff likely to improve for the race, Mingling Glances trying the trip for the first time and Plaza De Toros having been just plain disappointing so far, he can guide Olympic Majesty to victory.

Roche should have better luck in the opener, where Sideman is impossible to oppose. Mightily impressive on his debut at Leopardstown, Sideman should win this comfortably en-route to a Royal Ascot date, possibly in the Coventry Stakes.

Roche and O'Brien look set to complete a double with the easy Gowran winner, Ministerial Model, in the mile handicap, but they could be joined on the double mark by Dermot Weld and Pat Shanahan, who is stepping in for the Epsom-engaged Mick Kinane.

Lady Shannon was such an easy winner from Nidaa at Leopardstown last time that the daughter of Mr Prospecter and Flowing is hard to go against in the O'Brien/ Mazda Handicap, and Celebrity Style showed enough promise when runner up to Karatisa on her debut at Tipperary to indicate she will take beating in the Hotel Keadeen Maiden.

Le Ciel was an expensive beaten favourite at Killarney last time but a return to the Curragh, and fast ground, should see her play a significant role in the Murphy Murphy Carpets Handicap.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column