Gravity out to defy rivals

Beau Michael, and latterly Beau Satchel, have given their owners, the Total Recall Racing Club, many days to remember over the last few years.

Trainer of the two 'Beaus,' Ado McGuinness is hopeful that he has unearthed another decent performer for the syndicate in the shape of Specific Gravity

Formerly trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil and most recently by Mike De Kock, Specific Gravity will face just three rivals in the Peter Hook & The Light Race at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Jim Bolger 's News At Six will be a tough nut to crack as he bids for a hat-trick in this ten furlong event but McGuinness is anticipating a good showing from the Shane Foley-ridden Specific Gravity nonetheless.

The County Dublin trainer said: "He came to me through my former assistant Stephen Thorne (also McGuinness' nephew). He worked with Mick De Kock in Dubai before Christmas and that's how we got the horse.

"Stephen was on the Darley Flying Start course and he graduated last week.

"This horse needs a little dig in the ground and we basically bought him to go hurdling. We're just not getting ground to suit him at the moment to do that job.

"He's a fair horse and we're expecting a big run but he does want a bit of juice in the ground.

"He holds an entry in the Ebor as well and we have get to get him started - he's been off for six months and he'll definitely come on from this run."

Specific Gravity is the sole McGuinness runner on the Leopardstown card, which kicks off at 5.50, whilst Patrick Prendergast, who trains in the neighbouring county of Kildare, has two runners, starting off with Windward Passage in the 7.25, the Leopardstown Summer Membership Handicap.

The Melitta Lodge Stables operator stated: "He has come out of his last race well (a Tipperary success). He's 7lb higher in the handicap but I'm hoping for another good run.

"He's behaving a lot better since he's been gelded and he took to the blinkers well last time."

Meanwhile in the Follow Leopardstown On Facebook Apprentice Handicap Prendergast has secured a good pilot in young Sean Corby, for the ride on Madam Mo and he said: "She is a good each-way bet. If you backed her each-way every time she ran you'd be well in front. She just finds it hard to win."