Oxx set for treble

Leopardstown today is the sole Irish fixture of the weekend, and while it deserves zero marks for originality, the only statement possible going into it is follow the Oxx-Murtagh partnership.

The Sinndar team are represented in five of the seven races and can succeed in three of those, including the featured Natural Gas Brownstown Stakes.

Murtagh has picked the inexperienced Kermiyana over Kerataka in the Listed mile race, and considering the form the former champion jockey is in, that is a tip in itself.

Kermiyana's sole start to date was at Gowran last month when she made all to beat Air Of Approval by three and a half lengths, with the 80-rated Desert Hill a further four lengths back.

The bare form isn't wonderful but Kermiyana could hardly have won any more impressively and she should definitely have come on from that. She will have to, for she is up against the 105-rated Margay.

Kermiyana will also have to cope with the surprise Glencairn Stakes winner, Annieirwin, and Simplicity, who should benefit from a drop in trip, but the Oxx first string should still oblige.

The beautifully-bred Patruel is another Oxx filly whose rate of progression can only be guessed at, but she couldn't have won any easier at Dundalk and is the one truly unexposed runner in the Ask For Gas Handicap. The others could have it all to do.

The Oxx-Murtagh treble can come about courtesy of the Caerleon filly, Fantasia Girl, in the seven-furlong maiden, but even after that it could be dangerous to take the eye off the unraced Quest For Peace in the last. The O'Brien hope, Chimes At Midnight, is just preferred. Both Oxx and Aidan O'Brien introduce newcomers in the opener, a filly by Halling and a colt by Fairy King respectively, but maybe it will pay to side with those with form.

Marsh Harrier has been runner-up to Little Firefly and Turnberry Isle already but slight preference is for John Dorans Melody, who finished right on the heels of Blixen and Freud last weekend despite losing considerable ground at the start.

Abaco is taken to score a third track win in the 10-furlong handicap, especially with the big weight swing he enjoys from Citizen Edward on course running last time.