Handel to perform

RACING/ Irish previews: Handel was denied a chance to run in the Derby but the switch to tomorrow's Gallinule Stakes at the …

RACING/ Irish previews: Handel was denied a chance to run in the Derby but the switch to tomorrow's Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh should pay dividends for the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt.

There are plenty in Ballydoyle who believe Handel would have been far from disgraced at Epsom and there is little doubt that he looks a horse to follow.

In breaking his duck at Leopardstown, Handel was never threatened and merely confirmed the improvement for a debut start he had been showing at home.

The O'Brien runner is still very much the dark horse of the six-runner field, which has Richard Hannon's Mooresbridge Stakes winner, Nysaean, topping the weights.

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Nysaean hasn't run since then and has to give a significant 16lbs to his younger rivals. They also include the Irish Guineas sixth, Napper Tandy, but if there is a potential star in the Gallinule this year, it looks to be Handel.

Dermot Weld gives Graceunderpressure a second start in the six-furlong maiden and will be hoping for a lot better than her Cork debut, when she was an expensive failure behind Book Binder.

Assigh Lady was only a neck off Cool Cousin over the course and distance of the sprint handicap and looks up to going one better.

Limerick hosts its first black-type event on the flat today and the Listed Martin Molony Stakes has attracted a competitive field.

Nevertheless the 112 rating that Mkuzi brings to the race - and on the back of a Cork success over Wensum Dancer - makes a pretty convincing argument for him winning. If Handel has his chance in the Gallinule, then his backers will be looking for encouragement in the mile-and-a-half maiden from Rayshan, who chased the O'Brien runner home at Leopardstown.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column