Punchestown, 14:10 - Back Dancinginthecity @ 2/13.00
Dancinginthecity shaped with loads of promise on debut at the Curragh and looked like he would have no trouble going one better on his next start.
The form of that race has taken a couple of knocks with the winner Zarak Pasha well beaten in the Golden Fleece in Leopardstown Saturday and the 4th Albany County another left in the wake of Darkness Falls on his next start.
Francillion for Ger Lyons and Noble Exhibit for Aiden O'Brien both bring decent form into this contest and while they would also look like maiden winners in waiting, I feel Dancinginthecity will prove too good for them here.
Joseph O'Brien is having an unbelievable season and his two-year-olds always improve greatly from their first start to their second. While this son of Saxon Warrior will without doubt be running over 10 and 12 furlongs next year the drop back to a stiff mile at Punchestown should hold few concerns.
Back Dancinginthecity in the 14:10 at Punchestown
Punchestown, 15:40 - Back Vico Road @ 13/27.50
A tricky maiden where the market will likely dictate. Back Straight has the best form in the race, but returns from exactly a year off the track, with a tongue-tie now fitted.
If fully tuned for his comeback he would take a lot of beating, but I am going to take a chance on the John Murphy trained Vico Road.
The stable have had a quiet year but recently had a nice maiden winner in Enigma Code, who had an encouraging debut run in 5th before striking next time out.
Vico Road has a very similar profile here having come from a long way back in Navan to finish a never nearer 5th.
Drawn in 8th I imagine Gary Carroll will ride his mount much closer to the pace today and should hit the line strong here after staying 10 furlongs in Navan.
Back Vico Road in the 15:40 at Punchestown