Reply scoring at the Curragh as a juvenile© Photo Healy Racing
Former Classic-placed colt Reply takes a big drop in class at Tipperary this evening as he seeks his first success in 19 months.
Aidan O'Brien 's charge was good enough to finish third behind Power in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last year, but his form tailed off since and he was last seen when last in the Golden Shaheen in Dubai last month.
The Ballydoyle handler is evidently looking for a confidence-boosting win and it will be disappointing if he cannot account for his rivals in the Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Race
O'Brien also sends Line Drummer to the track for the Fundraising Events At Tipperary Races Handicap, and he will be aiming to pick up where he left off after winning a heavy-ground heat over course and distance at the end of last term.
He may lack the edge over recent Limerick scorer Diesel Ten and Caesaria who backed up his Curragh triumph with a third placing at Naas.
There could be several duels between O'Brien and Dermot Weld on the card, with choicely bred newcomers Freewheel and Resolute Response locking horns in the Events At Tipperary Racecourse Maiden.
Weld's recent Naas victor Pay Day Kitten tackles the O'Brien-trained Kingdom in the Follow TipperaryRaces On Twitter Handicap.
However, Kingdom was put in his place by Jim Bolger's Morning With Ivan when the pair clashed at Leopardstown, and a 5lb pull in the weights may not be enough for him to gain his revenge.
O'Brien sends two for the Book Online At TipperaryRaces.ie Maiden, with newcomer Victory Song joined by Agreement Hurricane Sky and Benalex Park both won at Gowran on Sunday and now clash under 5lb penalties in the TipperaryRaces.com Handicap, while The Four Elms is aiming to supplement a Limerick win in the Youth Raceday On 6th June Handicap.
