Helena Molony looks best

Leopardstown preview: Supporters of Galatee's Oaks chances on Friday will be hoping for a form boost from Helena Molony at Leopardstown…

Leopardstown preview: Supporters of Galatee's Oaks chances on Friday will be hoping for a form boost from Helena Molony at Leopardstown this evening.

The John Oxx-trained filly, a full sister to the double Derby and Breeders' Cup winner High Chaparral, is the most inexperienced runner in the Seamus McGrath Memorial Savel Beg Stakes but still looks capable of picking up some valuable black type.

Significantly Michael Kinane has elected to ride Helena Molony from the Oxx trio in the race and the legendary rider, who has returned from a Far Eastern trip to Hong Kong at the weekend, looks to have got it right.

Helena Molony certainly looked to be crying out for a longer trip when runner-up to Galatee at Gowran over a mile and a quarter.

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Pat Smullen has picked the 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle over the Presidential runner Cairdeas but the veteran would be happier on quicker ground and the unexposed horse looks the one to be on.

Benjamin Franklin was an expensive failure on his debut behind Medico here a fortnight ago but the Ballydoyle horses have been improving significantly for a run and that can be proved yet again in the concluding mile maiden.

Medico himself returns to the track for the 10-furlong handicap and Niall McCullagh's mount could go well again while Sunday's Curragh winner Zacharova can defy a 5lb penalty for that four length success in the seven furlong handicap.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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