Leigh Roche© Photo Healy Racing
Leigh Roche enjoyed a tremendous Galway Festival last week when partnering three winners, and he could be on the mark again aboard Placere in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap at Sligo on Wednesday.
The 29,000 euro mile-and-a-half event looks a competitive seven-runner affair, and ability to handle the testing conditions is going to be key.
Dick Brabazon's charge is a proven mudlark having bolted up in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh a few seasons back and, while lightly raced since, made a very pleasing reappearance at Leopardstown last month.
The seven-year-old mare was noted making good late headway behind My Twinkle over an inadequate 10 furlongs, and should be cherry ripe with that outing under her belt.
Sierra Sun appeared to find two miles just too far when fifth to Modem in the big amateur handicap at Galway last Monday and should go well despite the steadier of top-weight, while What Lies Ahead and course-and-distance winner Ceylon will both go on the ground.
The Students Day At The Races 30th September Handicap is the chief supporting event on this seven-race Flat card, and the past two winners both line-up again. Cheval Rouge took this in 2013 and showed enough at Tipperary last time to give cause for optimism, while Queen Of Alba appreciated cut in the ground when successful 12 months ago.
Johnny Levins may have the answer to the Ladies Day At Sligo 6th August Nursery Handicap with Touch Of Frost, while three-time course-and-distance winner Vasoni bids to add to her tremendous record at this venue in the Foley's Bar & Off Licence Handicap.
