Dermot Weld has trained more winners on the flat in Ireland this season than any of his rivals, and a major part of his success can be attributed to his ability to find a horse to run whatever the level of competition.
This is exemplified by the Super Valu Maiden at Tramore this evening which is restricted to those that have never been in the first three in any race.
The Weld runner here is Winter Gale, who raced without success over hurdles in England last winter for Nicky Henderson. On his first start since joining Weld he was fourth at Leopardstown to Kid Vic over two and a half miles.
The shorter distance will be a help at Tramore but of even more consequence is that this small horse will be carrying nine stone not 12 stone.
This should decide the issue in his favour even if a study of the form book indicates that more than one of his rivals has had his qualification for the event safely preserved.
After the mauling that favourite backers experienced at Galway, they will have expected a better time at this festival in the south, but the very first two winners on the card, Nicola Marie and Viking Dream, were both ignored longshots.
With four maiden races and only two handicaps, surely this looks a programme on which punters can hope to have a good night.
Weld may also win the Kiely Gaule Maiden with Out'N'About, who meets Gamine on 3lb better than handicap terms but who found the ground too soft at Sligo last week when second behind Alleged Aggressor. The newcomer to fear here is Fisherman's Cove, owned by Mrs John Magnier and a stablemate of Alleged Aggressor.
The Aga Khan comes into his own with stamina-demanding races and Deysaniya, who was only getting warmed up at the end of the 10 furlongs at Roscommon when third to Jimmy Swift, should earn her brackets in the Rover Waterford Fillies Maiden.
For the nap of the day I take Colm's Rock to give weight to his eight opponents in the Mean Fiddler Handicap Chase. A high class handicap hurdler with a rating of 138, he should be profitably engaged for some time to come over fences, where as the winner of one steeplechase only, he is currently rated 32lb lower.
His trainer, Frances Crowley, who has made such a quick start to her career could be in line for a double with the long overdue Owning finally getting his head in front in the pro-Am bumper.
