Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Smullen is blazing a trail at the head of the Flat jockeys' title race and the eight-time champion can add to his tally at Roscommon on Monday.
Smullen teams up with his boss Dermot Weld on an interesting newcomer in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Median Auction Maiden. Alishan is a half-brother to five winners including Irish St Leger hero Alandi, and the Aga Khan's home-bred son of Rock Of Gibraltar does not need to be anything out of the ordinary to land this 10-furlong event.
Smullen was on board Red House Hill when the Charles Byrnes-trained gelding justified favouritism at Limerick last month, and the combination should be hard to beat again in the Knockcroghery Handicap.
This mile-and-a-half trip and soft ground seems to suit him well, while easy Leopardstown winner Jeremys Joy and recent Wexford scorer Deor may give him most to do.
Smullen also has prospects on Queen Alphapet in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies & Mares Maiden.
Just a head separated Peter Fahey's charge and Grey Sky Blue when the pair took minor honours behind Roconga on the Polytrack at Dundalk last month.
However this testing ground may not play to her strengths, and Andy Oliver's Grey Blue Sky may come out on top on this occasion.
Chris Hayes takes the mount on Grey Blue Sky, and he could double up with Eight And Bob in the mile-and-a-quarter Roscommon Handicap.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Blood Crazed Tiger has strong claims in the Kepak Flat Race, while Go Darsi Go runner-up to Shamiran in the competitive Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle Series Final at the Punchestown Festival, could get his career over fences off to a winning start in the Follow Us On Facebook Beginners Chase.
