THE six-year-old Soft Spot, who ran a number of fine races last season without adding to his three previous successes, could repay support in the Dunboyne Handicap at Navan this afternoon.
Kept busy over hurdles during the winter by Eddie Lynam, Soft Spot reappeared on the flat at Tipperary, finishing sixth of 16 to Wray, beaten under five lengths in what has proved to be a useful handicap.
Stephen Craine replaces the stable's apprentice, David Mason, on Soft Spot today, and the combination is taken to win from Sapanoria, who finished well after being hampered at the start at Gowran, and Coast Is Clear, successful at Dundalk and Galway last season.
In the other flat race on the card, the Duleek Maiden, Monongahela is a hopeful choice. The least fancied in the betting of the eight Aidan O'Brien-trained runners in a Leopardstown maiden at the backend of last season, this Caerleon colt showed a fair degree of promise when in the leading group until a furlong and a half out before fading to finish eighth. He may have most to fear from the Bolger newcomer, Ganaway, a gelding by Fayruz.
Jack Yeats, top-weight in the Rossnaree Handicap Hurdle, led for a long way in a flat race at Ballinrobe last week and that effort should have him spot on for this challenge. His latest run over hurdles was at Fairyhouse in January when a creditable fourth to Grey Guy.
Castle Coin stretched the odds-on shot Boss Doyle over three miles at Thurles and he may out-gun both Atha Beithe and Coolree Lord in the Dowth Handicap Hurdle.
Brave Fountain has been slow to get his act together over fences and it might be worth opposing him in the Webster Beginners Chase. Corrigeen Rambler, runner-up in a hunter chase, is a possibility, but preference is for Cristys Picnic, who had every chance two out when fourth at Tramore to Valerie Owens.
Arctic Gale steppe4 up considerably on her previous form when third to Atha Beithe at the Fairyhouse festival. Possibly encountering fast ground for the first time brought about the improvement and if that proves the case, she should be able to beat Lady Elise and Phardasio on even drier ground in the Newgrange Maiden Hurdle.
