Ask Jack ready to bring down Extraterrestrial
Tuesday July 27 2010
RED-hot Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey sends Extraterrestrial for Galway's Day 2 feature, the Topaz Mile EBF Handicap in which Rock And Roll Kid will be bidding for back-to-back victories in what is a very tricky puzzle for punters.
Fahey has been sending out winners at tracks all over England but Extraterrestrial looks to have a stiff task. The six-year-old has been in moderate form and hasn't got a great draw in stall seven.
Tony Mullins' Rock And Roll Kid, which ran well in a hot Curragh handicap last time, renews rivalry with last season's runner-up Maundy Money and the two course-and-distance winners can be expected to put in bold displays, but the vote goes to Joseph Murphy's Ask Jack, which is long overdue a victory.
Dermot Weld introduces Zaminast in the EBF Fillies Maiden for two-year-olds and she bumps into three from the Aidan O'Brien yard. Best of the Ballydoyle contingent looks to be the well-bred Why, but Weld is a master at readying a newcomer for this event.
Weld introduces Parlour in the closing EBF Maiden, where Jim Bolger's Purple Land sets the standard. However, Pat Flynn's experienced Big Bad Billy Bob can prevail.
The card opens with two jumps races, starting with the Topaz Maiden Hurdle (5.10), and there's no getting away from the Weld challenge in this one, too, as he runs the promising Universal Truth. The five-year-old, a winner of three bumpers, has not appeared since finishing third on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown last December and has the likes of Clonard Lad and Shamiran to contend with.
However, a chance is taken on a new recruit to hurdling in Drumfire. This six-year-old landed a handicap at Glorious Goodwood last year for Mark Johnston and he showed a lot of promise when making his debut for Eoin Griffin earlier this month.
Natal defends his title in the Latin Quarter Chase and meets Invisible Man, an easy winner at Market Rasen last time. But there may be value to be had in siding with Charlie Swan's admirable veteran Oodachee.
- Thomas Kelly
Irish Independent
