BUDDY MARVEL can get back on the winning track and justify his trainer's high opinion of him by winning this evening's Savel Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.
Curragh permit holder John MeLoughlin has trained a Queen Mary winner in Gloriella and a Curragh Stakes winner in Peace Girl but after Buddy Marvel won at Gowran at the start of the month, he boldly declared the colt to be the best he has ever had. Despite Buddy Marvel subsequently finishing only fifth in the Derrinstown Derby Trial, McLoughlin still holds that view.
"I ran him too quickly after Gowran when I didn't realise what it took out of him to win that Gowran race, McLoughlin said yesterday. "Jim Bolger's filly (Caiseal Ros) was only fourth that day but then went on to beat Olympic Majesty in Cork and finish third in the 1,000 Guineas. The second that day (Akdariya) has won since, too, so it was a good race."
In the circumstances, for Buddy Marvel to finish only five lengths off Ashley Park, Casey Tibbs and Ebadilya in the Derrinstown wasn't a bad effort at all and now McLoughlin reports him to be in very good form and to have no concerns about tonight's trip.
French Ballerina had some very decent form at the backend of last season and if in the same form will go close, but her lack of a run this season is a concern. Nevertheless, she looks the main danger to a fresh and keen Buddy Marvel.
Christy Roche has been going through a purple patch this season and it can continue with yet another double here.
Virtuoso was the stable outsider behind Dr Johnson here earlier in the month but put in a fine first racecourse effort to finish a two-and-a-half length second to his better fancied stable companion. Dr Johnson was an impressive winner at the Curragh at the weekend so the form looks good enough for Virtuoso to get the better of Moving On Up.
Roche can already have scored in the opener with the Fairy King colt, Family Crest, who can continue Aidan O'Brien's domination of the two-year-old scene. The market indications should be noted on the newcomer, and while Black Rock City should significantly improve from his first run at Naas, Family Crest is the selection.
Sandomierz was quite a smooth winner of a handicap at Navan last time and she left the impression that tonight's IAVI Handicap looks to be within her compass, too.
Angel From Heaven looked an unlucky loser behind Bajan Queen at Fairyhouse eight days ago and despite topweight can be fancied to reverse that form in the Ross McParland Handicap, while Dunferne Classic can win the amateur handicap hurdle for the Edward O'Grady-Philip Fenton team.
Minella Storm holds Oonagh's Star on Killarney form 15 days ago, but the Paddy Mullins horse was very impressive subsequently at Naas and is marginally preferred in the bumper this time.
