Rosy for D'Anjou

Racing/Leopardstown preview: Now that he has proved his ability at a mile, D'Anjou looks the most likely solution to tonight…

Racing/Leopardstown preview: Now that he has proved his ability at a mile, D'Anjou looks the most likely solution to tonight's Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown.

The John Oxx-trained seven-year-old put in an excellent performance to beat the Classic hope Meath by half a length in the Amethyst Stakes over the course and distance a month ago.

That came on the back of three races in Dubai which proved to Oxx that D'Anjou is now much more than a seven-furlong specialist.

What hasn't changed, however, is D'Anjou's need for things to fall right for him in a race. Meath presented him with a perfect target the last day and it will be interesting to see what Michael Kinane does this evening.

READ MORE

Ranged against the partnership are two previous winners in Mr Houdini (2003) and One Won One (2001-02) but there will be plenty of interest too in Livadiya who rewarded Harry Rogers's ambition with a Group One second to Powerscourt in her previous start.

Kinane and Oxx will also team up with Dolce Voche in the first division of the seven-furlong maiden and this one's fifth to Book Of Kings at the Curragh looks good enough.

Jim Bolger's Park Haven would have been better fancied in the second division if the ground had stayed firm but on this surface Dangle should manage to go one better than her second to Leonor Fini at Gowran.

Arch Stanton has a rating 5lb lower than his last start on the flat and on this basis the Willie Mullins-trained hurdler is preferred to Blue Away in the two-mile 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