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Qualimita sets a high bar
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Crown The Future can progress again
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Aisling Oscar hard to oppose
Gordon Elliott is bang among the winners at present and Qualimita has an excellent chance on form. She cost €500,000 after winning her sole start in points and, while she remains a maiden under Rules, this looks a good bit of placing.
Qualimita showed fair form over hurdles but she has improved in two starts over fences recently, unlucky to bump into an above-average type on her debut in this sphere at Gowran, but jumping fine and travelling fluently.
Her sights were raised in a Grade 2 event at Punchestown last time and she was far from disgraced in finishing third to the two market leaders, just not having the gears in the closing stages. This is a much more realistic opportunity for her, and she stands out a mile on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, at least 16lb clear of her rivals.
Back Qualimita in the 15:35 Clonmel
Crown The Future was very green on his debut, but learnt from that experience on his next start, missing the break through no fault of his own (blindfold removed late) and making a fleeting move into contention before his effort petered out.
Crown The Future had little chance dropped to five furlongs in testing ground on his qualifying run, but he landed a gamble making his nursery debut at Wolverhampton last week, showing much improved form and given the Horse In Focus Flag.
He had plenty in hand on that occasion, pulling well clear of the remainder with the runner-up, and most of his penalty is offset by a good-value claimer, so he makes plenty of appeal with this step up to a mile likely to suit.
Back Crown The Future in the 16:15 Newcastle
Adrian Keatley has been among the winners of late and Aisling Oscar has an excellent chance of providing him with another. He had lost his way for Craig O'Neill when trained in Ireland, but made a promising start for this yard over an extended mile at Wolverhampton, and bolted up just two days later over seven furlongs at this track last week.
Aisling Oscar was very well supported that day, and never gave his supporters an ounce of worry, travelling strongly and leading on the bridle entering the final furlong, just pushed out to score comfortably, earning him the Horse In Focus Flag.
He escapes a penalty and a rise in the weights for that success due to the conditions of the race and he is really hard to oppose from the same mark with this step back up in trip no problem for him.
Back Aisling Oscar in the 17:45 Newcastle