O'Brien set to record treble

The Leopardstown and Cork two-step continues this afternoon, although there is an unusually late 3.30 kick off at the Dublin track.

"It's mainly because of the traffic situation, and we're trying to avoid as much of the rush hour as possible," explained the Leopardstown manager Matt O'Dwyer, who added that the same foot-and mouth-precautions will be in place.

"They're relatively low key because we don't want too much unrest to the general public, but any procedure we've been asked to put in place is in place. In fact we've put in some extra ones ourselves," O'Dwyer added.

Classic hints don't appear too plentiful at Leopardstown, and even though there were some seriously expensive reverses for the Ballydoyle team yesterday, it's hard to avoid their strength in depth.

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The Danehill colt, Hawkeye, could only manage a Gowran third on his only start but has been pleasing Aidan O'Brien in his work recently and looks up to beating some nicely bred newcomers in the mile maiden.

El Bueno can make it third time lucky in the mile and a half maiden, while the six-furlong opener looks good for Freud.

Copernicus is now rated 1lb less than when winning an amateur race at Gowran last year, and despite topweight in the Avoca Handicap, should still count; and Kevin Prendergast's good start can continue with Sita in the fillies' maiden.

Down at Cork, Arctic Copper, the horse owned by the political syndicate that includes the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowan and the former PD leader, Des O'Malley, looks good for the Heineken Chase.

But the riding honours can go to the top amateur Philip Fenton, courtesy of Over The Bar and Prince Of Tara in the two bumpers.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column


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