Smullen on for hat-trick

Cork previewPat Smullen can notch a third success in a row in Cork's Goffs Autumn Bonus when he rides Noah's Ark this afternoon.

Blue Corrig and Paris Express were both prepared for victory by Smullen's wife, Frances Crowley, and, like Blue Corrig, Noah's Ark looks a type to go on to better things.

The filly was pretty impressive when winning by four lengths on her debut at Tralee, and afterwards the Dermot Weld camp talked of her as a potential Stakes winner.

If that is the case, then Noah's Ark has to go close in this despite the Crowley team again throwing down a serious challenge for this valuable pot.

Joe Crowley runs four, but Smullen should know where he stands with them and a bigger threat could be the Con Collins-trained Ocean Bounty.

He did well to win at Listowel and his previous run has been boosted by the Park Stakes success of Venturi.

Nevertheless, Noah's Ark looks progressive.

Third in that Curragh maiden won by Venturi was Cornwall, who makes up part of the quartet in the Listed El Gran Senor Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien also runs the talented but enigmatic Amalie Bay, but Smullen could again be the man to follow courtesy of Simple Exchange. The colt was less than five lengths off One Cool Cat in the National Stakes and will be in his element over seven furlongs.

The other Listed race is the Abergwaun Stakes, and Hanabad's main problem here looks like being the five-furlong trip.

From being regarded as a possible classic prospect, Hanabad has slipped back in distance and put in his best effort when just run out of first by Fayr Jag in the Group Three Ridgewood Pearl Stakes.

Lupine has been upped a stone in the ratings for an easy three-length success at the Curragh last weekend but could still be improving enough to take the opener.

Janadam looks to be in with a major shout in the apprentice handicap.