SHAMROCK NAPS AT FFOS LAS: No Irish racing today but Shamrock looks ahead to Leopardstown on Thursday and Tramore’s four-day festival. His nap and double are at Ffos Las and his outsider is at Nottingham.


Weld’s back with another wonder. Dermot Weld is not only Mr Galway, he farms other races as well. Take Thursday’s Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown.

Look out for his attempt to win a fifth Desmond (Group 3) – and a third in four years – with Emulous, following top notchers Refuse To Bend and, more recently, Famous Name.

Three-year-olds do best in the Desmond but Famous Name was four, and the Dansili filly Emulous will be attempting her fourth Group 3.

Weld will be keen to run her while the ground is on top: it was firm when she claimed her biggest scalp to date, beating Lolly For Dolly at the Curragh in May.

After three evening meetings from Thursday to Saturday inclusive – Flat, jumps, Flat – Tramore’s four-day festival has its fun ‘day’ on Sunday afternoon, with a high-powered hurdle (81-123) and a 0-123 feature chase, in which I have a strong nap (I hope it runs). It looks a healthy card and I might even try another yankee.

Meanwhile, at Ffos Las tonight, I fancy That’s A Fret (7.30), a stone – plus Martin Hartley’s claim – lower than his last win and back to form with a near miss at Cork last time out.

Liam McAteer’s Navan yard sends out three other runners but I want to be on Daniel Loughnane’s Just For Mary (5.30), now returning to the scene of his last success.

Though he’s up 7lb now, in the past Just For Mary has won off a 17lb higher mark in an 80-104. Though not as good as he was in those days, he’s still feasibly weighted in this class-6, where the top rating is off 64

SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: That’s A Fret (7.30 Ffos Las)
NEXT BEST: Just For Mary (5.30 Ffos Las)
OUTSIDER: Brandywell Boy (8.15 Nottingham)
DAQ TRIO: Just For Mary (5.30 Ffos Las), Regal Park (5.45 Nottingham), That’s A Fret (7.30 Ffos Las)