In the context of 2,574 winners, a total of four more may not amount to much, but those four will give Dermot Weld the alltime Irish record for winners trained. And the good news for punters is that Weld believes he can secure them before the week is over.
Romantic Venture yesterday brought his total for the week to six, and three times in the past Weld has secured 10 winners during the festival. Nowhere else would be more appropriate for Weld to break JJ Parkinson`s 2,577 record, set in 1947, and he has five horses racing tonight. 'Luck is needed but I think I have a good shot at getting four more winners before the week is out. But as Darialann and Celtic Lore have proved, luck is always needed,' said Weld yesterday.
The Curragh trainer must fancy his chances tonight with the Monday winner, Ansar, in the last; and Francis Bay must also have a leading shout in the handicap chase now that he reverts to a shorter trip than the Plate, in which he ran seventh. The Sadler`s Wells filly, Tobaranama, may not have as obvious a chance in the #25,000 Guinness Handicap but she will relish better ground compared to when she was fifth at Leopardstown. The form of that Listed race was also boosted by Royal Rebel at Goodwood yesterday and she sports blinkers for the first time. She may be a touch of value.
Weld`s Circus Maximus has been a name on many lips this week and he takes his chance in the Smithwicks Maiden, dropping back half a mile from his second to Colombus at Roscommon.
However, a very obvious danger in the race is the grey Sadlers Wells colt, Rostropovich, while Mythical Nature comes here for a first start of the season with a top rating of 88.
Preference is for Rostropovich, who ran third on his May debut behind Dutch Harrier at Leopardstown and at the time looked a type that would improve considerably for the experience.
Silverware has his share of weight in the Harp Handicap, but after finishing last in the Golden Pages,the Pat Hughes-trained runner was an eyecatching nearest-at-finish third to Monitor at Naas.
