Martin Molony Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 19:05 | Winning time: 2m 48.91s

(4)

Bold Approach^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 99| D

10/1

Won for the second time in his career when landing a 10-runner handicap over 1m4f at Dundalk on the AW in December. Ran well in defeat on return in a Navan 1m Listed contest behind Ancient Spirit last week. Entitled to make the shortlist.

Form: 74310-4

(2)

Long Arm²⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D W O'Connor| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91| D

15/2

Winner on both the AW at Dundalk when last seen in October following a win on debut at Gowran Park in July last year, winning by a neck over 1m1½f. Yard going well.

Form: 11-

(3)

Oriental Eagle³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: E Mullins| OR: 106| D

18/1

Winner of two of his 10 starts on turf. Interesting change of jockey called for following a poor effort on return to the track in a Leopardstown Listed contest on Sunday. Worth a check in the market.

Form: 6434-46

(5)

Pondus²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107

5/2

Won back to back novice events earlier in the season and has run okay in a couple of Group contests around this time 12 months ago when in the hands of trainer James Fanshawe. Up in trip on stable debut.

Form: 162239-

(1)

Simsir¹¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 105

5/6

Off the mark on turf on his fourth start on the surface when landing a 61k Meydan handicap in February. Clearly looks a progressive type and is shortlisted for this contest.

Form: 112-251

Forecasts

Simsir (5/6), Pondus (5/2), Long Arm (15/2), Bold Approach (10/1), Oriental Eagle (18/1)

the Mick Halford-trained, Aga Khan-owned SIMIR can make his return to Ireland a winning one. The gelding ran with great credit in three starts over in Meydan between January/February this year including claiming victory in a 61k handicap over 1m2f. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Pondus can emerge as the biggest danger on his first start since leaving the yard of James Fanshawe. Bold Approach looks set for third, though the Ger Lyons-trained Long Arm should not be easily dismissed.