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Footsteps on the slide

The weakness of Footstepsinthesand has been the main feature of the early trading on this Saturday´s Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas.

A big drifter on the exchanges, the bookmakers have followed suit with Cashmans deciding to quote the Aidan O´Brien stable rather than individual horses from Ballydoyle, while Paddy Power and the sponsors have both pushed out the Newmarket winner sharply.

Cashmans bet - 11/10 A P O´Brien stable, 6/4 Dubawi, 5/1 (from 10´s) Rebel Rebel, 10/1 (from 8´s) Democratic Deficit, 20 Bobs Pride.

Raydan, highly touted prior to his debut fourth in a Curragh maiden last month, is considered a doubtful runner.

Boylesports have installed Dubawi as their 9/4 favourite, with Footstepsinthesand moved out from 7/4 to 5/2 and joined at that price by well-supported stablemate Oratorio.

Powers have slashed Dubawi from 3/1 down to 6/4 favourite, also cutting Oratorio to 2/1 (from 7/2) and offering 6/4 Footstepsinthesand at 6/4 with-a-run.

Cashmans have also opened betting on the other two Group 1´s at the Curragh this weekend, the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Tattersalls Gold Cup - both run on Sunday.

The O´Brien-trained Virginia Waters is the red hot 11/10 favourite to complete the Newmarket/Curragh Guineas double, while they also go 5/1 Maids Causeway, 10 Saoire, 12 Penkenna Princess, Jazz Princess, 14/1 Bar.

David Wachman is likely to leave a decision on Damson´s participation until the last minute, and the Cork firm make her 9/4 (with-a-run).

Azamour is a doubtful runner in the Tattersalls Gold Cup for which Cashmans bet - 4/7 Bago, 11/4 Grey Swallow, 7/1 Yeats, 14/1 Norse Dancer, 16/1 Bar.

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.