BEAKSTOWN, who last ran in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, reappears in this evening's George Moore Beginners Chase at Ballinrobe.
Paddy Mullins's big seven-year-old, who won a competitive handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in February, is every inch a chaser in embryo and is likely to do even better over fences.
However, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Clahada Rose, who last ran in the Carroll Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk in early May, was rated the equal of Beakstown over timber, though she failed to win this year. A brilliant novice hurdler, she won no less than eight times in 1995. She too should fare well over fences. Beakstown is chosen.
The Willie Mullins-trained Calisar will be expected to complete a hat-trick in the Corrib Apprentice Handicap. Raised a total of 15lb as a result of his last two successes, the most recent at Killarney last Monday, Calisar won four sellers when raced in England.
Gerrydaris finished a remote third behind him at Dundalk but is now 13lb better off and previously beat the subsequent winner Ardlea House at Bellewstown. Jim Kavanagh's charge is just preferred.
Jim Bolger may win the Fort European Maiden with Junikay, who finished seventh behind Shantarini over seven furlongs at Gowran Park. The colt weakened below the distance but was having his first run for almost three months. He previously ran stable companion Azra to a neck over five furlongs at Leopardstown, albeit on soft going, and today's distance may suit. He has Chaghaf to beat.
The latter's trainer Dermot Weld runs Sweet Ciseaux in the Cong Claiming Race with obvious prospects if he can reproduce his Tipperary running of early June. Auntie Maureen, who ran Clanlucky to a neck at Naas, can land the Holiday Handicap and I like Hay Dance for the Derks Maiden Hurdle.
John Dunlop can underline. his reputation for shrewdness with a double at Beverley this evening. The Arundel trainer is based more than 200 miles away from the East Yorkshire track but he has spotted an ideal opening there for both Eurolink Excaliber and Castan.
