Weld has Bandua in Vinnie Roe mix Dermot Weld will be keener than most to win the Kingdom Of Bahrain Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown. That is because the master of Rosewell House saddled Vinnie Roe to 13 victories, including four successive renewals of the Irish St Leger between 2001 and 2004. The popular stayer also finished fourth, second and eighth in three renewals of the Melbourne Cup before his retirement in 2005. Weld's representative in this Listed contest is Bandua, who won twice at Cork in the spring before finishing eighth in the Irish Derby at the Curragh last month. He has far less on his plate on Thursday evening and holds obvious claims. Night Of Power bids to complete a hat-trick for John Oxx following victories in a Naas handicap and a Fairyhouse conditions race. He steps up in class and distance for this one-and-three-quarter-mile test, but nevertheless warrants respect for a yard in excellent form. Jim Bolger's Cimeara and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Sizzling renew rivalry after finishing first and second respectively in the Group Three Stanerra Stakes over this course and distance a fortnight ago. O’Brien also saddles Ballinrobe maiden winner Cypress Creek, while Joseph O’Brien’s Seize Your Star and The King from Jessica Harrington’s yard are others to consider in an intriguing race. The Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden is likely to be an informative event, with eight juveniles set to go to post. Joseph O’Brien’s Crockford and the Tony Mullins-trained Howling Ridge finished third on their respective debuts and set a decent standard. Aidan O’Brien saddles an unraced son of Sea The Stars in Eminence and newcomers from the yards of Bolger (Girolamo), Harrington (Unforgiven), Oxx (Azophi) and Ger Lyons (Pythion) are all worth a market check. The Oxx-trained Miss Zizi bids to follow up a recent Killarney triumph in the Keywest Handicap, with 7lb claimer Sean Davis keeping the ride. Her rivals include Stormy Tale, who has been declared to run just three days after scoring at Ballinrobe.
