The Laytown sands play host to today’s matinee meeting and Ocean Manifest can get off the mark for his career by taking the Pride Of Place Maiden. Promising on debut, in July of last year, he was a shade disappointing on his two other starts at three, and much the same when well beaten on his seasonal debut, which was also his first start for Stephen Thorne.
However, he was much better last time out, in Killarney, when he was a shade unlucky to be touched off by the patiently ridden Red Hugh O’Donnell. He hasn’t been seen since that outing, but had a similar break between his first and second runs for Thorne, and thus it isn’t much of a concern. Connections are sure to have eyed this opportunity a while ago and the four-year-old, with the assistance of Colin Keane, can get the job done.
His chief danger is likely to be Powerful Hook Head, who finished a couple of place and just shy of two lengths behind him in that Killarney race. He has since run twice and most recently posted a decent effort to finish runner-up in a Roscommon claimer. The drop back to seven furlongs doesn’t look ideal but there is little depth to this race and thus he is feared most.
His trainer, Joseph O’Brien, has leading claims in the previous race, the Download The New Tote App Qualified Riders’ Handicap, with Eyema Candy Girl.
The now five-year-old Justify mare made her racing debut in November, and it was a winning one, in a Dundalk maiden over six furlongs.
In five subsequent starts, she hasn’t managed to secure another victory, but she has been running well at her level and looks ready to go in again.
Last time out, she wasn’t beaten far into fourth place in a Dundalk claimer, and as she was trying to give weight to higher-rated horses, it wasn’t a bad effort at all.
This is quite a competitive race but there is still upside to her, and she can land the spoils for John Gleeson, who has already ridden four Flat and seven National Hunt winners for O’Brien.
Selections
4:30 Devil’s Angel
5:05 Spirit Of Eagles
5:40 Eyema Candy Girl (NB)
6:10 Ocean Manifest (Nap)
6:40 Distillate
7:10 Quar Shamar
Next best
4:30 Lismacbryan Hill
5:05 Hasiyna
5:40 Velvet Skies
6:10 Powerful Hook Head
6:40 Mullacash Buzz
7:10 Expound