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Talented Takar out to redeem reputation

JOHN OXX’S decision to sidestep Royal Ascot with classy colt Takar could reap handsome dividends as the son of Oratorio looks the one to beat in the feature €40,000 Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

Oxx has had a fantastic June thus far with seven of his 21 runners winning and, in the past fortnight, only three of his representatives have finished out of the first four.

Takar could improve that record further but needs to put a disappointing effort in the Irish 2,000 Guineas behind him.

Sent off at 6-1 for that Group 1 contest, Takar trailed in ninth of the ten runners but his impressive win in the Listed Tetrarch Stakes makes him a leading player. Oxx is double-handed and Akeed Wafi also deserves strong consideration.

Leading all-weather performer Banna Boirche continues his mission to land a first victory on the turf.

The 105-rated, eight-time winner was beaten merely half a length over 7f at Fairyhouse last time out when making an uncharacteristically bold bid from the front.

Glor Na Mara is a tricky customer and has been beaten 12 times over 7f yet has won both of his runs over tonight’s trip of 1m. Bolger is expecting a bold showing once the rain stays away.

He said: “He’s in good form but I don’t want to see any more rain for him. If the ground is suitable I’d expect another good run from him.”

Michael Grassick is another that doesn’t want the rain to arrive for his runner Soul Custody.

“Her owner Matt Duffy claimed her at Hollywood Park last November and has put her in foal to Tamayuz. She has black type from her time racing in America and we’re hoping to get her some here before she has to stop racing. If the rain comes then her chances literally evaporate so fingers crossed,” Grassick explained.

Ger Lyons has struck into a rich vein of form recently and he is represented by Bible Black. Speaking about his chance, Lyons said: “He didn’t come down the hill on fast ground at the Curragh last time, but he has been training well since and I'm expecting him to be thereabouts at the finish unless they get a lot of rain.”

Strandfield Lady loves Leopardstown and registered her sixth course success last week. She faces six rivals in the Leopardstown Club Members Handicap (6.25pm) and it would be no surprise if Harry Rogers’ mare continued her love-affair with the track.

There are plenty of well-known jumpers in action in the concluding Follow Leopardstown On Facebook Maiden (9.05pm) including the Willie Mullins-trained Dare To Doubt and Oilily from the Sean Byrne stable.

The action at Leopardstown gets going at 5.55pm and there are seven races for everyone to enjoy.

There is also a treat for those that want to stay around when the action on the track has finished as The Walls and Cork natives Frank And Walters will perform on stage shortly after the concluding contest.