Away from the TV cameras at York, there are two Irish meetings at Killarney and Leopardstown on Thursday. Here’s Alan Marron’s lucky 15.
Thursday Irish Lucky 15
- 17:43 Killarney: Diamond Du Berlais
- 18:30 Leopardstown: Abbotsford
- 19:45 Killarney: Ballybrittas
- 20:00 Leopardstown: Tachos
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Killarney 17:43 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle
Willie Mullins has won this race six times since 2012, and DIAMOND DU BERLAIS looks like she will go close to giving the Closutton team another win in the race. She was formerly trained by Rob Collet in France and won on her debut for the Mullins team at Ludlow back on the 4th of February. She then went to Cheltenham and ran very respectably in the Ryanair Mares´ Novices´ Hurdle (Grade 2) behind White Noise. The step back up in trip here will likely suit and she will take all the beating.
Selection: Diamond Du Berlais
Leopardstown 18:30 1m6f Irish EBF Vinnie Roe Stakes (Listed)
ABBOTSFORD would be quite an apt winner of the Vinnie Roe Stakes for Dermot Weld considering he trained Vinnie Roe to win the Irish St Leger for four years in succession (2001-2004). Vinnie Roe also had attempts at Melbourne Cup glory on three occasions, but finished fourth (2002), second (2004) and eighth (2005).
Abbotsford was a very impressive winner in the hands of Finian Maguire last time and could make the seamless step up to listed company here. The quote from DK Weld after the race was “He’s a lovely big horse. He’s still very immature but he’s a horse with a future.” He looks the type who could improve as he grows into his frame and this looks the perfect stepping stone in his career.
Selection: Abbotsford
Killarney 19:45 2m1f Handicap Chase
In the colours of Laurence Byrne, who was renowned for owning the great Hardy Eustace, BALLYBRITTAS looks a very interesting runner here based on a victory at Wexford two starts back, and the fact that he will have 10-04 on his back taking the claim of Shane O’Callaghan into the equation. He is only six pounds higher than the victory at Wexford and this race looks to lack strength in depth.
The form of the race at Wexford has worked out well with the second Lady Doyanne finishing second since, the third Stoneyford Lady was fourth at Galway in a competitive handicap and the fourth Trasna Na Pairce has also finished fourth on next start.
Selection: Ballybrittas
Leopardstown 20:00 1m Dublin To Bahrain Fillies Handicap
A Dermot Weld double could be on the cards in the final race of the evening at the Foxrock venue as TACHOS goes to post with Chris Hayes in the saddle. Cheekpieces are applied for the first time and there was a return to form last time when third over 1m1f behind Bella Colombia and Darkdeserthighway.
His last two winning marks have been 74 and 72 and he gets in here off a mark of 72. Tachos gave Bella Colombia five pounds last time and this time around Bella Colombia will give three pounds to Tachos. That weight pull should be enough to put the result in favour of Tachos.
Selection: Tachos
Thursday Irish Lucky 15
- 17:43 Killarney: Diamond Du Berlais
- 18:30 Leopardstown: Abbotsford
- 19:45 Killarney: Ballybrittas
- 20:00 Leopardstown: Tachos
