HE MAY not make his followers rich but anyone who saw Royal Affinity make a successful racecourse debut at the Curragh a month ago will bank on him to follow up in tomorrow's Oldtown Stud Race at Naas.
Aidan O'Brien's Woodman colt didn't have to be overly pressurised to beat Stelka by two lengths on that occasion but it was the enthusiasm that O'Brien showed for the horse afterwards that really caught the imagination.
Royal Affinity was considered a realistic entry in both the English and French 2,000 Guineas races and although he didn't take part in either, it reflected the high esteem he is held in.
He is one of the least experienced in tomorrow's race but potentially he looks to be in a different league to the likes of Angellino and Via Verbano and should win.
O'Brien and stable jockey Christy Roche can also win the opening juvenile maiden. The Ballydoyle yard has the most accurate lines to all the two year old form and riding arrangements suggest that the Danehill filly Kitza is the preferred choice tomorrow.
O'Brien can also help himself to a national hunt prize with Colm's Rock in the Oberstown Handicap Hurdle. This one fell at the last in the valuable Murphys Handicap Hurdle at Killarney won by Bob The Yank but looked to have one of today's opponents Sambara beaten before coming a cropper. He can get compensation here.
Dramatist will attract his share of followers in the maiden hurdle but it may pay to side instead with Noel Meade's Try For Ever.
Rescue Time looked to have a handicap at Leopardstown in the bag six days ago only for Bolino Star to emerge from the pack and to him for finishing speed. It was still an encouraging effort and if in the same kind of form he is marginally preferred to Dasharan in the 11 furlong handicap.
