AIDAN O'BRIEN, who saddled his first winner of the new season at Leopardstown yesterday, when Dance Clear made virtually all the running to take the Hudson Race, warned that Life Of A Lord will not run in the Martell Grand National on Saturday week if the ground is soft.
"There would not be much point in running him under such conditions," said O'Brien, who has the Galway Plate and Kerry National winner in good nick for his Aintree bid. A 9lb rise in the weights means Life Of A Lord will carry 11st 6lb - just 1lb behind the new top weight Young Hustler. Son Of War will shoulder 11st and Wylde Hide, another fancied Irish contender - especially if the going is soft - is now just 6lb out of the handicap compared to 15lb. Arthur Moore's charge is among the 10st bottom weight brigade.
The Christy Roche partnered Dance Clear was lightly raced last season, winning on her debut here in September, where she finished a two length third behind the John Oxx trained Aylesbury on her third and final outing. Aidan O'Brien believes she has improved and she will be tested in a listed race next time out.
The apprentice ridden Bolino Star finished so full of running in the Lincolnshire Trial Handicap, that she will be one of the better fancied candidates for the Lincoln itself at the Curragh's seasonal opening a week next Sunday. But Ger's Royale, the two and a half length winner, is also Lincoln bound and although claimed to be short of work by trainer Pat Flynn, will probably improve a bit.
Ger's Royal, who paid nearly 40 to 1 on the tote and ridden by visiting John Egan, won two races from 14 starts last season including a runaway success in a seven furlong handicap at the Curragh. He can handle any ground.
Dathuil, a promising third behind Dance Design and stable companion Priory Belle on her debut in a listed race here in August, but disappointing in two subsequent efforts, just got the better of Sofyaan and newcomer Noukari in the Spring Maiden. Trainer Jim Bolger is hoping the Royal Academy filly will do well this season and will run her in a listed race to see if she will be good enough to line up for the Irish Guineas. Priory Belle, who carried on to win the Moyglare Stud Stakes, is entered for the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Without Doubt held on by the skin of his teeth to win the March Maiden - the first two year old race of the season - from Beamingallover. Trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Pat Shanahan, the winner began to tire inside the distance as the Jim Bolger trained Beamingallover closed with every stride, prompting Weld to remark that his charge needs better ground. Shanahan is not long returned from his winter stint in Bombay where he rode 11 winners. Owned by the Kerry based Patsy Byrne's syndicate, bred by Kerry businessman Denis Brosnan, chairman of the IHA and sired by Kenmare, Without Doubt is an easy chestnut to spot with his four white socks and white blaze.
Charlie Swan rode the Victor Bowens trained Macallister to win the Careysfort Hurdle, a race won very easily by Imperial Call on Gold Cup day in 1994. Macallister is reckoned by his handler to have the makings of a chaser and will be suited to better ground.
Visiting rider Jason Titley drove out Lord Singapore to an easy success in the Silchester Handicap Chase.
