Abaco may be the oldest horse in today's Crescent Handicap at Leopardstown but that age allows us to draw some patterns in his form and they point to the veteran grey as a value bet.
The official forecast going at the Foxrock track today is for good ground but the last seven furlongs of the round course are good to firm and that looks ideal for Abaco who is something of a course specialist.
Two victories in the 1997 season included one here over 10 furlongs and Abaco's sole success last year came here over this distance. That came on his second start of the term and this season, Abaco has had the one spin around Clonmel behind Wild Zing and Experimental.
The talented but quirky Slightly Swift goes again in this contest but although he clearly has the ability to win, he does seem to be a specialist runner-up at this stage. Instead the bottom weight Benfica may be a more likely winner but Abaco, in his favourite environment, is preferred.
Abaco's trainer Dermot Weld has runners that can be given chances in every race bar the last and the best of the rest looks to be Knockanure in the An Post Handicap over six furlongs.
The Nureyev filly won her only start this year when just holding on by a neck from Rivana in a maiden at Gowran. The bare form may not be over impressive but Knockanure looked to have her opposition cold at the furlong pole at Gowran and her edging left could be due to getting tired.
The drop back to six furlongs looks a good decision and despite having to lug top weight, this is hardly an earth shattering contest.
Weld's Prospector John will be a popular fancy in the Strathmore Maiden but this one did run very freely when behind Father Murphy, Hierarchy and Eternal Night at Fairyhouse and a repeat of that today can only be detrimental to his chance.
Instead, it could be worth siding with Welsh Wind, for whom Michael Kinane has been engaged. Welsh Wind was not far behind Mudaa-eb in quite a hot maiden over the course and distance in May.
Racing opens with the latest son of Danzig to be unveiled by Ballydoyle. Mull Of Kintyre and Monashee Mountain both were very impressive winners here and Brahams is sure to be a warm favourite to take care of six opponents.
The Telecom Handicap's trip of nine furlongs should allow Royal South time to recover from his usual tardy start. If Des McDonogh's prolific winner from last year is on terms entering the straight then he will prove a tough nut for the likes of Perfect Scoundrel to crack.
The Wexford bumper winner Cappamore Girl can go close in the last and Charles O'Brien's newcomer Jewel In The Crown will not have to be brilliant to go in first time of asking in the C&C Maiden.
