With the Curragh Guineas meeting just seven days away, the emphasis this weekend is on quantity rather than quality. However, Urban Ocean may prove to be a blip in that argument at Cork.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt beat one of his opponents today, Piranesi, on his debut at Naas last year but couldn't put in a shout in three subsequent starts.
The fact that they included some nurseries indicates that Urban Ocean is hardly in the front rank of the Ballydoyle three-yearolds. There is also the fact that Piranesi, race fit after two starts already this season, is weighted to reverse the juvenile form and there is also the smart Akbar to consider.
If that sounds a convincing argument to oppose Urban Ocean, then the main reason to ignore it is today's mile and a half trip.
As a rangy son of Bering and Urban Sea, Urban Ocean could be considered to have done quite well to win at two first time of asking. But with that parentage, a mile and a half should be right up his alley.
By a French Derby winner and Arc runner-up out of an Arc winner, Urban Ocean brings a dash of breeding quality to today's fare, a quality he can emphasise on the track.
The most valuable race on the card is the £20,000 Dairygold Handicap over 10 furlongs, a useful distinction from the following race over seven furlongs which also has the same title.
The longer contest features some horses that are closely handicapped, including Provosky and Lawz who clashed at Leopardstown last month. Preference is for Lawz who should appreciate the slightly longer trip and softer ground.
Ruby Walsh, who celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday, managed to get the erratic Moscow Express to assert his class and put in a clear round at Tipperary last time. He will be hoping to do the same in the novice chase and even an adequate round of jumping will make Moscow Express a tough nut to crack.
However, the Cork fences have a stiff reputation and in the circumstances taking a short price on Moscow Express could be unwise. Preference instead is for Clifdon Fog who has won his last two races with something in hand and has jumped soundly in both into the bargain.
Downpatrick emphasises the quantity element of the weekend with eight races today. Discretion should prove the better part of valour in betting on some of these but Kevin Prendergast's Acafan looks one to keep on the right side of in the 12 furlong maiden, while Philip Fenton has his chance in the amateur hurdle on Mick Halford's Audacious Dancer.
At Navan tomorrow, the Ballydoyle camp can get back on the winning trail with their two-year-olds, courtesy of Ostrovsky.
After scoring with their first five juvenile runners, Ballydoyle looked set to dominate but in recent weeks that has not transpired. Ostrovsky was one of those who let the side down when beaten a neck by Harry's Game at Cork but the drop back to the minimum trip should suit.
Pat Smullen will be aiming for a first Classic success in next week's 2,000 Guineas but in the meantime looks to have a good chance of picking up another winner with The Moyne Machine in the fillies handicap.
This one didn't get the clearest of runs when third to Khaysan and Sharp Gossip at Gowran at the start of the month and should appreciate tomorrow's extra distance.
