Although precise statistics on the matter are not available over the 131-year history of Laytown Races, it is credible to suggest that, at 200,000 dollars, Untold Story, who comes from the same family as the marvellous sprinter Committed, is the most expensive yearling purchase ever to be sent here in search of a maiden prize, even one sponsored as are all of today's races by Guinness.

This time last year he was competing in rather more illustrious company as, filling the role of pacemaker, he made running for almost six furlongs in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

One outcome of this good gallop was that it brought about the donwfall of the favourite, Second Empire, who was not at hand when Desert Prince made his winning challenge.

The choice of name - Untold Story - appears to have been prophetic where this horse is concerned because there was clearly something very much awry with him when he ran in his first handicap at the Curragh on Derby day when pulled up.

If, however, he can run as well as he did earlier last season when seventh to Lizop at the Curragh, this would be a simple assignment to credit Weld with his 30th winner here.

Pat Martin, the third most successful trainer at Laytown in recent seasons, will field runners in five of the six events. Magic Annemarie, who won the opening sprint last year in a canter, is napped to do so again, although her task is a more formidable one in that the contest is now a handicap and she has top weight.

Another probable winner for Martin is Girl in Pearls, who won a good maiden at Roscommon last year. Her target is the Guinness Extra Cold Amateur Race, decided over the only straight 10 furlongs to be found in any major racing country.

Kevin Prendergast is another trainer who keeps up a family tradition by always providing a fancied runner at Laytown. His Iftatah is a course winner and he looks set to bowl home in the Pat's Centra Gold Mile Handicap.