Racing Sunday's previews: Michael Kinane will no doubt have more than half an eye on Brian Boru at Leopardstown tomorrow when they both make their return to Irish racing action.
The champion jockey had a frustrating season on Brian Boru last year, finishing out with the washing in the Derby, and then missing out on the colt's finest hour in the Doncaster St Leger.
Jamie Spencer was in the saddle that day, and when Brian Boru subsequently ran third in the Canadian International at Woodbine, and has since replaced Kinane as number one at Ballydoyle.
He teams up with Brian Boru for the first time this term in the Listed Alleged Stakes on the day Kinane has his first local day as first jockey to John Oxx.
His new job means Kinane will be looking at Brian Boru from the back of Mkuzi and while the 10-furlong trip, and a Group One penalty, mean this will be no cake-walk for the top horse, Brian Boru should still have sufficient class to win on route to future Group One races.
Kinane, however, shouldn't have to waste much time getting off the mark with a couple of Oxx three-year-old maidens waiting to kick off in the first two races.
Dabiroun was a good winner on the opening day of the season six days ago and the Priolo colt Maralan can be another first-time winner in the opener while Hazarista's only run of 2003 behind Yeats was not an accurate reflection of her home work.
The Alzao filly Zarafsha is another Oxx newcomer in the last where Aidan O'Brien also gives Galileo's full sister All Too Beautiful a racecourse debut.
Both are reputed to be smart but they will have to be to cope with Dermot Weld's Pulister who ran second to Azamour last year before disappointing slightly at Gowran.
Blue Away is an interesting starter in the Oakfield Handicap but the trip might be short of his best which could leave the Darshaan filly Khoza'ah in with a chance especially since Des McDonogh has already had a winner this season.
Limerick's feature, the a42,500 Grade Three Dawn Run Chase, has attracted the Noel Fehily ridden Bathwick Annie from Britain but Stashedaway still looks good to keep the pot at home.
Ruby Walsh rides the 128-rated mare who ran third to the high-class Jim at Naas last time.
Walsh rode Three Mirrors into second behind Native Scout at the Curragh last weekend, a good effort considering the winner looked well treated.
Seamus Heffernan can successfully take over in the Shannon Handicap and the jockey also looks good for the mile maiden with the 92-rated High Country from Ballydoyle. Pixie Dust has found one too good for her on both career starts to date but the Grassick runner can make it third time lucky in the bumper.
