One of the features of the fledgling flat season has been the success enjoyed by the apprentice Shane Kelly, and the 19-year-old could take his total of winners this term to seven with a double at Cork tomorrow.
The highlight of Kelly's five so far, which puts him well up the table with the likes of Kinane and Murtagh, was Tarry Flynn's Lincoln win on the opening day. Now that he is reunited with Dermot Weld's gelding in the Quartertown Handicap, the pair can click again.
Following that Lincoln, Tarry Flynn ran once more under Mick Kinane, when he was a fast finishing second to Blue Stocking at Leopardstown last Sunday. The two meet again today, but this time over two furlongs further and with Tarry Flynn 3 lb better off for being beaten a length.
The extra distance should be advantage to Tarry Flynn. Weld's string are in sparkling form and, in the form he is in, Kelly is very good value for his 5 lb claim.
The nap, however, goes to Kelly's mount in the Mallow Gas Centre Handicap, Treverrick. This colt by Formidable as a shock 25 to 1 winner of a nine furlong maiden here last season and ended up by disappointing in the Eyrefield Stakes behind Andy Dufresne.
It goes against the grain to side with a three-year-old against the senior horses this early in the season, but on last year's evidence Willie Mullins' charge looks quite smart and has a light weight, plus Kelly's claim.
The Naas winner Knockdoo is a danger, as is the ex-Geoff Lewis trained Mantles Prince, who was rated 84 in England last year, but Treverrick could emerge as something better than this level.
Should Charlie Swan travel to Cork tomorrow still needing a winner to reach the 1,000 mark, then Greenflag Princess in the Good Thyne Handicap Chase looks his best bet. But the three mile trip could be a problem for the mare and Shuil Na Mhuire may be better value.
Aidan O'Brien could be in line for another double courtesy of the Be My Guest filly Valentine Waltz in the opening maiden and Radia- tion, who was desperately unlucky at Fairyhouse last time, looking to have the race won only for his saddle to slip in the closing stages.
O'Brien runs Desert Fox in the Ford Maiden, but this colt has had numerous chances now and it should pay to look elsewhere.
John Oxx supplied the Leopardstown winner Beldarian last Sunday, where Desert Fox was third, and runs two newcomers here. The presence of John Murtagh on Masarkal indicates that he is the better fancied of the two and Oxx's form line knowledge can pay off.
Jensalee was impressive on his chasing bow at Naas and Tommy Treacy's mount can successfully give 2lb to Decanter in the novices chase.
