sixthformer

Second, beaten a neck and half a length in her last two outings in maiden company here, Heavens Wish can score for Diego Dias and Colin Keane (noteworthy jockey booking for the yard). She has shown a lot of speed and drops down from six to five furlongs. The Magna Grecia filly is related to plenty of quite high-rated winners.

Loyal Touch is the top-rated on official figures in this claimer by some eighteen pounds. Thus the Racing Post forecast favourite. Of the four runners for Denis Hogan (including the selection), Porsche Lad is being backed. Picked up for 4,200 guineas (a steal), he clearly has ability, and was perhaps unlucky to be beaten on two starts before perhaps being lucky to win last time for Charlie Byrnes. Less likely to stay this 1m 4f than Loyal Touch, who joins from Charlie Johnston. Alan Casey claims 7 pounds. No run since April but two wins from six AW starts. This is all a bit mysterious ??" the strong market support plus the booking of Colin Keane for Porsche Lad. Loyal Touch could, however, be a potential shoo-in for a trainer who looks keen to win the race.

3yo Churchill filly who was a ready winner on turf at Navan over 10 furlongs in October. Good run in a tough race on the penultimate start here. Recent start over 1m4f looked too long, and Boyne Valley ran better than expected, being badly hampered at one stage five days ago. Dropping back in trip suits now. Only third AW start. This quick turnaround is positive. Usual jockey Wesley Joyce claims 3 lbs. Trainer Michael Mulvany is having a good season. Well drawn. Chance.

Pretty open handicap race over 10.5 furlongs. 7yo grey Aingeal Dorcha is trained by Andrew Slattery and ran very well from the front behind Marions Gal and Colugo over C&D last time. The winner has been raised ten pounds by the handicapper. Aingeal Dorcha has won 2 of 22 starts on turf (off OR61 and 69 either side of today's trip). The interesting thing is last month's 4th of 14 was his very first run on the all-weather. Adam Browne-Souza claims 7 lbs again, and the gelding is very well handicapped on his best old form off today's mark of 51. Positive signs of a revival last time.

Respected favourite, but Celtic Melody is chanced for trainer Joseph O'Brien (SR 21%), whose Dundalk debutants often improve after their first outing. A Too Darn Hot filly who will stay further in time (out of a Camelot mare). She wasn't asked to do too much when slowly away on debut, but the step up to 1 mile after a short break of just over a month promises more to come. Attracting market interest.

Badger's Cove (James Macaulay-owned, Denis Hogan-trained) merits interest dropped markedly in trip (has shown a lot of speed), but my preference is for the better-priced and substantially better-drawn (in stall 2) Plushy. This Ardad filly led for five of six furlongs on handicap debut last time and wasn't beaten far in a decent C&D contest (a subsequent maiden winner finished behind her there). Dropped 1 pound, and Jack Kearney (SR 20%) helps by claiming a 3-pound allowance. Trainer Gavin Cromwell's win stats are slowly picking up.