Gwyn to provide another classic

Tralee preview: The five-day Tralee Festival opens today with Rock Of Gibraltar's sister, Nell Gwyn, attempting to maintain …

Tralee preview: The five-day Tralee Festival opens today with Rock Of Gibraltar's sister, Nell Gwyn, attempting to maintain more than the family classic tradition in the opening mile fillies maiden.

Last season the triple Oaks winner Alexandrova won the first race of her career in this contest and it's only four years since Vintage Tipple won out before subsequently landing the 2003 Irish Oaks.

Dermot Weld's newcomer City Of Cities is reportedly smart and Jim Bolger's Halla Siamsa boasts a debut second to Four Sins at the Curragh.

Nell Gwyn was seventh in that race but significant improvement is expected for a regally-bred runner who is highly regarded at Ballydoyle. However, the best bet on the festival card could be in the following mile handicap where Send Me Home is expected to follow up last week's Bellewstown success.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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