CHANTRY AND IROKO CAN GO WELL FOR THE BALLYMAC TEAM

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €5,000 to the winner Elite Contracting Design Open 575 gets underway at Curraheen Park tonight, and it's expected to produce plenty of top-class racing.

In the third and final heat, Ballymac Iroko is the pick for trainer Liam Dowling. The May puppy has won three of his starts, and the powerful youngster has displayed bundles of speed in all of his starts to date. Last time out, he came from off the pace to score in 28.41, and the step up in distance is certain to suit. This is a step up in class, but he should have no problem dining at the top table going forward, and with a half-decent start, he should prove too strong. The Graham Holland-trained Galloping Jack is an improving sort, and going on his recent winning performance, he should be in the mix. Of the others, the Kieran Lynch trained Desert Flower is drawn for a big run on the rails. 

OPENING HEAT

In the opening heat, trainer Graham Holland holds all the aces. Low Profile impressed during the Laurels, and he's drawn well along the inside of the track. He caught the eye over this distance around Shelbourne Park two runs ago, and on that form, he is sure to go well. Trap one is a big plus, and he looks certain to take plenty of stopping in this. Owned by the R T And C Syndicate, the selection has a slow starter outside him, and that's a big plus. If doing things right early, it will take a big performance to turn him over.  Riverside Scotch, also trained by Holland, impressed around course and distance last time out, and he should be in the mix in this. That was his comeback outing, and if improving for the run, which is likely, then he should prove a real danger. Ballymac Altobel, for Liam Dowling, is another with massive gears, and she can't be ruled out from the outside of the track.

BALLYMAC CAN STRIKE

In the second heat, Liam Dowling can strike with Ballymac Chantry. Keeping top company in recent times, he brings strong form to the race, and in truth, he should take the world of beating in this. The powerful running tracker has dipped under the magical 28-second barrier over the standard trip, and this 575-yard distance looks spot on. Bartlemy Mainoo, trained by Graham Holland for Sheila Mannix, caught the eye when winning last Saturday night, clocking 28.44, and she's capable of running well in this.