Michael Grassick and Eddie Ahern can warm up for Preseli's seasonal debut at Leopardstown by scoring at Fairyhouse today, courtesy of Precedence in the nine-furlong maiden.
It will be timely boost for the team, with Grassick yet to get off the mark for the season and Preseli's date with the Irish 1,000 Guineas just a fortnight away; and this looks a race that won't take a lot of winning.
Precedence, a 41,000 gns purchase out of John Oxx's yard at the December sales, comes here with a rating of 77 and that could be good enough against the Oxx newcomer, Atacat, who is by Catrail, and Kolleya.
Oxx looks the man to follow in the mile maiden, though, as Darisha finished just over a length behind the listed-bound Paper Moon at Cork on her debut; while the amateur handicap can fall to Kate Emily, whose trainer Pat Flynn seems to be returning to form.
The best race on a very average card looks to be the novice hurdle, where the Imperial Cup runner-up The Gatherer is sure to be fancied by many. Preference, however, is for Pillar Rock, who likes quick ground and ran well enough behind the Englishtrained Zahari at Punchestown last time.
