Coryrose deserves a change of luck

THERE can have been few more unlucky recent losers than Coryrose at Listowel 15 days ago, but if Charlie Swan's mount has just…

THERE can have been few more unlucky recent losers than Coryrose at Listowel 15 days ago, but if Charlie Swan's mount has just an average rub of the green in today's opener at Killarney, she looks to have a first rate chance of compensation.

Coryrose looked to have reasonable opposition stone cold at Listowel when bursting clear three out in the race eventually won by Bawnrock. But while no obstacle could catch her out, Coryrose did slip up disastrously in the straight.

While Coryrose struggled back to her feet, The Grey Mare eventually wound up second to Bawnrock but looked to need all of the three miles to do so. Over today's half mile shorter, she may find herself outpaced. The Naas second, Lady Argyle, should have no such problems, but if a lucky Coryrose is in the same kind of form as she was at Listowel, then she should break her hurdling duck.

Coryrose's trainer Harry de Bromhead may not have long to wait to complete a double, as Phareign is the marginal preference in a rather uninspiring-looking handicap hurdle.

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This gelding gave the impression that a test of stamina is ideal for him when failing to quicken in the Listowel race won by Toureen Gale. Phareign did however finish an honourable fourth and on today's probable soft ground should find conditions more suitable. The topweight Miracle Me could be one for the forecast.

The around can also be the decisive factor in the Heineken Handicap. It's a trappy-looking £10,000 race, but That's Logic can strike a blow for the three-year-olds.

John Murtagh had the mount when That's Logic absolutely sluiced up by seven lengths over Two Bandits on heavy ground at Sligo, and with his liking for the soft confirmed, That's Logic, ridden by Pat Shanahan tonight, could be a bit of value to beat Machalini and Classic Express.

In the Vincent Giltinan Handicap over 11 furlongs, it's difficult to get away from Pat Flynn's Le Ciel, judged on her impressive two-length defeat of Dream Project at the Curragh nine days ago. Jamie Spencer secured a run for the Law Society filly on the inside, but the way she quickened clear in the last furlong was eye-catching, and Le Ciel can get the better of Beach Project.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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