Rely on Spring Of Pearls Racing Irish preview

IRISH PREVIEW: There is no shortage of opportunity for punters tonight but Spring Of Pearls could be the one to get stuck into…

IRISH PREVIEW: There is no shortage of opportunity for punters tonight but Spring Of Pearls could be the one to get stuck into at Navan.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly has run into a pair of Storm Cat colts that might be anything on her two starts to date but doesn't look to have anything of the calibre of Dark Cheetah or Cougar to deal with here in the auction maiden.

Instead the benchmark is set by Shamoan who has shown a high level of performance but whose run of runner-up placings indicates a horse vulnerable to a late kick. Spring Of Pearls can provide that kick this evening.

Weld runs Khulasah in the mile maiden but this one's only run of the season at Clonmel in March was a real disappointment considering the promise she showed at two.

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The danger now looks to be the Aidan O'Brien newcomer Ace. The Ballydoyle trainer won with a three-year-old newcomer Two Miles West at Leopardstown on Wednesday and it would be dangerous to ignore tonight's Danehill colt.

Acorn Lodge and Civic Duty clash again in the opening sprint after the former came out on top at Tipperary. Civic Duty has since trotted up at Fairyhouse but Acorn Lodge's winning streak might not be over yet.

Jim Bolger is on a winning steak of his own and it might not stop here with Visit Wexford a clear contender for the mile and a quarter handicap while the Nureyev filly Beautifulballerina can go one better than her second to Dollars Rock at Leopardstown in the mile handicap.

Down at Wexford there will be plenty willing to bank on The Screamer in the novice hurdle.

The Michael Hourigan-trained mare returned from a long absence to show some good form this summer and won well from Longueville Quest at Limerick last time.

Etruscan King, who boasted a high flat rating, is an interesting contender under Ruby Walsh for the first and Walsh can also score in the handicap hurdle on Carhue Wonder.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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