Racing News and previews: Leopardstown and Limerick carve out their own little niches with two Saturday evening starts but there will also be plenty of Irish Group One interest overseas today.
Aidan O'Brien runs Hold That Tiger and Balestrini in the Eclipse at Sandown while in Hollywood Park tonight, the Irish 1,000 Guineas third Dimitrova represents Dermot Weld in the $750,000 American Oaks.
Weld has booked David Flores for the ride on Dimitrova but the filly faces a big task in California against the Kentucky Oaks runner-up Santa Catarina. Meridiana and Golden Nepi, winners of the Italian Oaks and Italian 1,000 Guineas respectively, also run.
Hold That Tiger and Balestrini don't have as far to travel but face possibly an even bigger task against Nayef and Islington at Sandown.
O'Brien said yesterday: "Last year we thought Hold That Tiger would get a mile and a mile and a quarter well. He was coming home well at Ascot in the St James's Palace and we've been happy with him since. Balestrini obviously got the 10 furlongs well when fifth in the Derby."
The Ballydoyle trainer also revealed Colossus is a contender for Newmarket's July Stakes on Wednesday while Tomahawk is a possible starter in Thursday's Group One July Cup.
A pair of evening starts on a Saturday is a novel step in Ireland but the featured Group Three Brownstown Stakes could see the biggest share of the €85,000 pot go to Newmarket. Pat Shanahan has a first ride for trainer Michael Bell on Irresistible and the Nottingham Listed winner is expected to graduate further.
"I feel she is ready for another step up and she will be happy on the easy conditions," said Bell yesterday.
Jim Bolger and the Ballylinch Stud supply both Danaskaya and Shizao and Kevin Manning's decision to ride Danaskaya presents jockey Jason Behan with a big chance in a big race. Behan has ridden just one winner from fewer than 40 rides this season and rode none at all last year. Shizao has a big chance to significantly boost his profile but Irresistible might be just that.
Pat Smullen has elected to stay at home rather than travel for the Dimitrova ride and that call can pay off in the mile-and-a-quarter maiden with Le Leopard.
This doesn't look a particularly inspiring contest, with the expensive Warhol having proved very disappointing last year and Allied Victory boasting a mark of 85.
The Bolger-Manning team can have better fortune in the seven-furlong maiden, however, as Bon Expresso's 99 rating and a third to Miss Emma make convincing reading. Acciacatura, proven on a soft surface, could also go close for them in the two-year maiden.
Down at Limerick the highlight will be the four-race Betfair jockeys' challenge, which sees an Anglo-Irish jockey competition return to Limerick for the first time in 18 years.
Adrian Maguire and Charlie are the "non-playing" captains for an event that features all the big names of jump riding bar the injured Tony McCoy.
Abadair, a Tralee bumper winner, looks to give Richard Johnson a good shout of picking up the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle while Barry Geraghty's mount Max Time should go close in the two-mile handicap.
Classic Note is out of the handicap in another two-and-a-half-mile hurdle but the Tony Martin runner still looks dangerous.
Galtee View was third to The Posh Paddy on his debut at Clonmel on fast ground and that experience should benefit the Roche runner in the bumper.
