Those runners with the tag 'talking horse' attached to them are among the most costly in the game but at Leopardstown this evening Muakaad can finally start to deliver.
Dermot Weld's runner broke his maiden on a debut over the course and distance of tonight's Computershare Race and afterwards was well fancied to follow up in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.
A certain colt called Sinndar finished less than four lengths ahead of Muakaad on that occasion, but there were plenty close to the Weld camp who were still disappointed with the effort.
So disappointed that a tilt at the French Derby was considered a perfectly viable plan but Muakaad was totally unsuited by the very soft ground and faded to last.
It's the sort of profile that has been replicated umpteen times in the past to many punters cost but this time there will be no excuse for the colt.
He's got his trip, he's got his decent ground and he's had a reasonable break since Chantilly. The Derrinstown form is excellent and Muakaad still has the confidence of his connections.
He could also be a reasonable price as ranged against him are the Pretty Polly Stakes third, Alluring, as well as another Ballydoyle hope in Homer. They're both smart but Muakaad is selected to now show how good he could be.
Another good bet should be D'Anjou in the mile maiden. The Oxx runner was fully expected to win on his Curragh debut but got run out of it by Mick My Mongrello and Step With Style after leading well before the twofurlong pole.
D'Anjou should be hard to beat despite the presence of the Sadler's Wells filly, Elegant As Always, who makes a belated first appearance after being well touted at the start of the season.
Weld's course specialist Abaco is just preferred in the apprentice handicap; and Impulsif is tipped to score a third win of the term despite possibly going a furlong further than ideal. The ground will help him.
Down south at Killarney they also have a £12,000 race to showpiece and Thepointaboutitis is taken to land the pot in the 11furlong handicap. Successful at Tipperary and Gowran, Pat Flynn's runner was unsuited by the slow pace in the event won by Turn Turtle at the Curragh and is worth another chance.
