Young McDonogh can make his point with double

One of the country's leading apprentices, Declan McDonogh, can further advertise his abilities with a double at Naas this afternoon.

The prolific Royal South, winner of six races last year, made an encouraging return to the track when a nearest-at-finish third to Mrs Evans at Fairyhouse three weeks ago and should go close in the 10 furlong handicap.

McDonogh rides that horse for his father, Des, but he has come in for the ride on Kevin Prendergast's Polaire in the Oldtown Stud Race. This filly was a near top class two-year-old last season, with third placings in the Heinz 57 and the Park Stakes to her credit.

Polaire was unplaced in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but she still merits a 103 rating and should be up to beating Fable and the most intriguing runner in the race, Musical Pursuit.

Now with James Burns, Musical Pursuit was trained by Mark Tompkins to be just edged out in the 1996 Dewhurst by In Command and was unfortunate in the following year's 2,000 Guineas when his saddle slipped. Musical Pursuit hasn't been seen since the September of that year but is clearly a horse of latent talent, and Mick Kinane is a significant jockey booking.

The nap, however, goes to Wood Leopard in the maiden hurdle. Ruby Walsh will be putting the finishing touches to a spectacular first season as a professional if this wins, and there was plenty to like about the way Wood Leopard ran on into third at Roscommon behind the hotpot Quinze.

Aidan O'Brien can score his 28th victory of the campaign when another two-year-old newcomer, Amethyst, can become his 10th individual winner of that age group in the opener, while Dermot Weld can score number 19 of the term with Beckon The King.

At Clonmel tomorrow, the standard is such that the £2,586 jackpot carryover is a welcome attraction. Racing opens with a poor, 10 furlong maiden, and Jim Bolger's Annunciata, who has an 80 rating, is hard to oppose.

In the 12 furlong maiden, the vote goes to Ted Walsh's useful jumper Total Success, who is quite a sharp sort, and in a race of this quality that will be quite a virtue. The Dundalk runner-up Parkgate is the selection in the bumper, and the drop back to a mile and quarter should benefit the course and distance winner Experimental in the Hill Bar Handicap.