Two meetings in the northern half of Ireland today with the most auspiciously titled race being the Cork Dry Gin Ulster Cesarewitch. In fact the Downpatrick contest is a £4,250 0-65 contest but something has to win it and Trade Dispute looks the one to do just that.
The Dermot Weld-trained six-year-old ran at Tralee only four days ago when running an entirely honourable second to the hotpot Rathbawn Prince in a 0-75 handicap.
Honourable because Rathbawn Prince looked to be something of a good thing beforehand and was ridden with commensurate confidence by Fran Berry. There was two-and-a-half lengths between the two at the finish and no runner in today's race stands out as obviously as Rathbawn Prince did.
Declan McDonogh takes 3lbs off Trade Dispute's back and in his current form, the combination look a reasonable bet to beat Wicklow Way and Tryfirion.
McDonogh's apprentice colleague Shane Kelly can score his 32nd winner of the season on James O'Haire's Puppet Play in the preceding Eastwood Race. This one ran a reasonable enough debut over a mile and one at Fairyhouse when recovering from a slow start to be fourth to Goldman. Improvement can be reasonably expected, especially over this extra three furlongs.
Peter McCreery's Load And Lock must be a frustrating horse to be connected with, making a habit as he does of finishing second. He was second to Back For Good in a flat handicap at Tramore last time and over flights has already been runner-up at Sligo and Bellewstown. Today he goes in the opening maiden hurdle and on the balance of his form must have a good chance of finally breaking his duck.
Tom Taaffe's Ardclough is capable of improving enough from a Dundalk debut to take the bumper, while Smyths Lady off a low weight is worth an interest in the handicap hurdle.
Dromhall Lady, like Trade Dispute, ran at Tralee and indeed won a mile handicap from Husun on the Tuesday. She is set to give weight away in Sligo's Rated Race and although Gypsy Melody, runner-up to stable companion Dawn Project on Thursday, will be a formidable opponent, Dromhall Lady can score again.
Gypsy Melody's trainer Jim Bolger can be on the mark however, courtesy of Union Day in the Mayo Nursery. Third to Antinnaz at the Curragh last time, Union Day seems reasonably treated in this and is preferred to Matanah.
The Riverman filly Banakat should appreciate the extra distance of the Strandhill Maiden and Swiss Thyne can reverse Kilbeggan form with Fairy Mist in the handicap chase.
