Spencer taken to land double

EMERGING TALENT is racing's lifeblood, and although only a month of the flat season has passed, few have so far emerged more confidently than promising apprentice Jamie Spencer. A possible double at Clonmel today can only deepen that impression.

If Kephren in the Nenagh Handicap and Reasilvia in the Mountain Handicap manage to bring up that double, it will equal Spencer's total for last season. Then, after riding his first winner at Downpatrick in May, Spencer, 16, scored six more times.

The Co. Tipperary claimer has already bagged five in the last month, the most recent being Reasilvia at Listowel on Sunday. On that occasion, the consistent Edward O'Grady trained mare put a length and a half between herself and Blues Project, to follow up an earlier scrambling defeat of Pas Possible at Ballinrobe. In most circumstances, it would be difficult to see her notching up such a swift trio of handicap victories but today could be an exception.

For a start it is encouraging to see her out again so quickly. At Listowel, O'Grady mentioned a Killarney hurdle race next month as a target for Reasilvia and the presence of Spencer, claiming 6lb, on her back again is a not inconsiderable plus. Another, if more earthy, reason for hope is that it's not unknown for mares to improve on the track having been covered, and Reasilvia last week visited Old Vic. In the circumstances, she can defy the penalty and stay ahead of the handicapper.

Spencer missed out on a double only by the minimum margin the day that Reasilvia won at Ballinrobe, when half an hour earlier Kephren just failed to Rince Abhann in a nine furlong handicap. Kephren was gaining all the way to the line and today's extra furlong should suit admirably.

A Spencer double might be a taste of the future, but in the opening Templemore Maiden it should pay to settle for the present and side with champion John Murtagh and the Paddy Mullins trained Aboriginal.

The five year old proved something of a disappointment over hurdles during the winter but found himself running against some of the better novices in the country. Nevertheless, on his return to the flat, Aboriginal ran pretty well when fourth of 17 to the hotpot Luna Spectrum in a maiden at Tipperary.

That hinted at the latent talent that saw Aboriginal win bumpers at Fairyhouse and Tipperary last Auturxn in very impressive style, and with no obstacles in his way again today, he looks capable of beating a less than earth shattering field.

The same comment could also apply to the Cahir Maiden Hurdle, but at his best Crucial Move would be a possible exception. The worry is that Crucial Move hasn't seen a track since Down Royal in early October when third to Collon Leader and Fane Path, but if Sean Treacy has him anywhere near right, Crucial Move should be involved in the business end of a poor contest.

Dearborn Tec has been running consistently through the winter and the gelding, trained near Clonakilty, Co. Cork, by Andrew Lee, can finally get his reward in the Roscrea Beginners Chase. Today's three miles should suit better than the two miles, six he ran over when fourth to Father Rector at Thurles at the end of March.

Charlie Swan's mount Bronica is a tentative selection for a tricky looking Cashel Handicap Hurdle while Willie Mullins has some of the best lines to current bumper form and the booking of amateur champion elect Ruby Walsh for the newcomer Music Again in the bumper is interesting.

. Worcester trainer Nigel Smith is planning a less than respectful reception for Britain's possible new Prime Minister. He revealed yesterday that he has successfully registered the name Beau Luxe Blare for an unraced daughter of Ron's Victory in his yard. "I have got her passport back and the name has been accepted," Smith said.