Nysaean can record his second Group 3 victory at the Curragh this season in the Patrick P O?Leary Memorial Gallinule Stakes, the highlight on a Sunday seven race card at headquarters beginning at 2.30pm.
Richard Hannon?s charge has already scored at the Curragh this year in the Mooresbridge Stakes back in April, and the four-year-old son of Sadler?s Wells should have his ideal conditions - ten furlongs and cut in the ground - with any further showers over the weekend adding to his prospects. There are six declared for this E75,000 event, and it should prove a hot betting race with most holding a decent chance.
Handel runs here instead of joining the Ballydoyle team in the Vodafone Derby, a decision that was only confirmed on Thursday morning, and this lightly-raced colt is an interesting sort. He deserves a crack at this grade following an easy maiden win at Leopardstown last month, and could yet develop into an Irish Derby contender.
Tipperary All Star is a very likeable type having showed admirable battling qualities to land a Listed event over course and distance on 1,000 Guineas day, while Napper Tandy steps up in distance after his sixth to Indian Haven in the Guineas. Timawari has been very green in the preliminaries prior to both outings this year and, although undoubtedly a talented individual, the Aga Khan?s four-year-old also looked a difficult ride when successful in a Cork maiden last time.
Whatever the fate of Timarida?s son Timawari, John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh can team up for a double in the final two races with Rainbow World and Icklingham. Rainbow World has been given a rating of 88 after his Gowran Park maiden win, and is fancied to take advantage in the Thomas Whiteley Memorial Handicap. The selection looks the type who can progress further, and is preferred to Anticipated Move who will appreciate this step up to ten furlongs.
Icklingham has been narrowly beaten on his latest two outings, but appears to have found a good opportunity in the concluding Joe Morrissey Maiden. He was rallying again in the closing stages behind Dolmur (won again since at Naas on Monday) in the classic trial at Gowran, and again lost nothing in defeat over course and distance a fortnight ago behind Indian Belle. The unknown quantity here is the Ballydoyle newcomer High Country, by Danehill, and a market move for Aidan O?Brien?s charge would be significant.
Alan Magee
