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NEVIN'S EYECATCHERS

Irish racing tips – Eyecatchers: A dozen horses to follow for the remainder of the flat and into the jumps season

Our resident Irish expert Mark Nevin gives us his eyecatchers from across the sea

WITH Galway behind us for another year, Mark Nevin gives the lowdown on the runners it's worth keeping an eye on in the long-term.

They come across code and he also chucks in the odd British runner that could make an impact before the season is up.

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JEREMIAH - Charlie Fellowes

It’s a little odd to include a British runner, but I thought Charlie Fellowes’ three-year-old was a big eyecatcher when winning a 12 furlong handicap at Thirsk last Saturday.

He’s a huge strapping colt and I have no doubt that one of the jumps yards would love to have him on their books for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

He travelled well for Danny Tudhope and just looked a class apart - the Melrose Handicap at York will be next and he should be competitive if the ground is not too quick.

SHERGAR CUP Need some help with the weekend Placepot? Well Sunracing have been busy ahead of racing at Ascot

MY SISTER SARAH - Willie Mullins

There is no doubt that this four-year-old filly has plenty of ability.

She swaggered her way around Roscommon on Tuesday to win the closing bumper with any amount in hand and the speed she showed bodes very well for her future.

Patrick Mullins was impressed and he hinted that she was for sale - so don’t be surprised if you see her running in some very famous colours on her next assignment.

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BARBADOS & SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE - Aidan O'Brien

A typical competitive contest for Curragh standards and there will be plenty of winners that come out of Monday’s maiden.

All eyes were on the well-related Blenheim Palace as the stalls opened, but he didn’t impress as much as his two stablemates did.

Fourth home Sydney Opera House stayed on well for tender handling and looks the type to keep an eye on for the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown in the Autumn before making up into a middle distance colt for next season.

Sixth home Barbados, on the other hand, could have a bit more speed than the other two. He was utterly clueless on debut, but he made significant late headway under Wayne Lordan and looks a sure-fire next time out winner.

BROOME - Aidan O'Brien

This Australia colt should prove to be a lot better than his workmanlike maiden win at Galway last Saturday.
He had earlier made a promising debut behind a stablemate at Killarney in July and there is no doubt he is a stakes class performer.
It’s hard to know how far he can go and what trip he wants, but there is a serious amount of improvement in Aidan O’Brien’s colt.
He raced on and off the bridle at Ballybrit, but once Donnacha O’Brien got stuck into him he seemed to know his job. He could be a Derby horse.

BOND STREET - Aidan O'Brien & SPANISH TENOR - Timothy Doyle

A competitive renewal of the Ahonoora Handicap at Galway last Sunday.

The winner Safe Voyage is progressive and there could be another big one in him before the end of the year.

However, favourite Bond Street and Timothy Doyle’s Spanish Tenor looked the two to take out of the race.

It isn’t too difficult to make a case for Bond Street bouncing back. He found the 7f trip too short from his wide draw but his second in the BMW Mile earlier in the week at Galway is red-hot form.

He could be one for the Cambridgeshire at the Curragh.

One who ran well at a bigger price was Spanish Tenor and he looks like he has plenty to offer from his current mark.

He moved well for a long way granted it was his first run since disappointing at Leopardstown in April. It looked like fitness got the better of him up the hill and there could be a 7f handicap which goes his way before the end of the season.

LOW SUN - Willie Mullins

Mullins had a fantastic Galway with 12 winners and another 16 making the places, so it’s not surprising that some of his winners went a little under the radar.

Rich Ricci’s Low Sun was one of those that certainly did when a very good winner of a valuable staying handicap hurdle last Saturday.

He is definitely one to keep on side over timber this Autumn, but he could have a big handicap in him on the level before then.

Perhaps the Irish Cesarewitch is a realistic target and he would no doubt be popular in the market.

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I CAN FLY - Aidan O'Brien
THIS Fastnet Rock filly has not had a great season, but she got back to positive ways when flying home to be a never nearer fourth in a Listed contest at Galway last Thursday.
She has a race of that standard in her and perhaps she could nick a Group 3 down the line.
She is no superstar, but she is a very classy filly and her confidence should be high wherever she is seen next.
SNOW FALCON - Noel Meade
If Snow Falcon had jumped adequately in the Galway Plate last Wednesday, then surely there must be a very high chance he would have won that valuable contest.
He made several mistakes and could never get involved, but he flew up the hill to finish fourth.
He has a high rating over fences, so perhaps connections may wait for the Leinster National or Munster National in the next few months — there is a big pot in him.
PAKORA - Willie Mullins
There is no doubting when Willie Mullins talks in glowing terms about one of his horses that they usually end up going all the way and it’s interesting to listen to what Mullins said about impressive Galway winner Pakora.
Speaking after her sparkling win in the Listed Novice Hurdle at Galway last Tuesday, the Closutton handler said: "Pakora travelled sweet and jumped electric for a mare with her lack of experience. She won like she travelled. She might be a bit lazy. I think she could well be a top class mare if I can keep her sound."
Bold claims indeed, but Mullins does not usually get it wrong and his mare could be spectacular given the manner in which she won. Look out for her in all the top Graded races this coming jumps season.
TARNAWA - Dermot Weld
The winner Hermosa could be very good, but she had a favourable draw and she made heavy weather of landing her maiden at Galway last Tuesday.
Perhaps she is backwards and needs time to mature, but I thought Tarnawa was the one that stood out most.
Dermot Weld usually saves his best filly for this maiden and he will not be too downhearted after a huge effort from stall 14 to finish third.
She made significant late headway and was going on at the finish.
She will have no problem with an extra furlong this season and everything suggests she could progress into an Oaks contender — she should take the world of beating next time.
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