Sir Sagacious was well fancied when second on his debut at Dundalk last month and can go one better on the all-weather on Friday evening.
The Due Diligence gelding was backed from 16/1 into 9/2 and ran a big race to chase home the 82-rated Take Me To Church in a winners’ contest.
Willie Browne’s charge showed signs of greenness, missing the kick and drifting left when asked for an effort in the straight.
He can surely only improve from that experience and with the run under his belt he looks well up to landing a maiden of this standard.
The obvious danger in the field is the Joseph O’Brien-trained Al Mudhaffar, who was also second on his debut here three weeks ago.
He chased home Badda Bing by a length-and-a-half then when sent to post a 4/5 shot. Obviously he’s open to a bit more improvement but that form may not be quite as strong.
Ex-Ballydoyle inmate Latin is an interesting runner on his first outing for Denis Hogan while Hoover Dam has been running with credit and is another for the shortlist.
There looks scope for a nice bit of improvement from Sir Sagacious though and he gets the vote.
In the seven-furlong claimer, Posh Maisie looks capable of improving from her recent run.
Johnny Murtagh’s charge ran a nice race to finish third to Andalusian Star here 23 days ago and that form got a boost with the runner-up, Pepper Noir, winning subsequently.
Murtagh claims 10lb off Posh Maisie with Rory Mulligan getting the leg up and that leaves the Dandy Man filly looking nicely treated in the seven-furlong contest.
The Curragh trainer may also be able to collect in the following mile handicap with Pascalia.
This Churchill filly stepped up on previous efforts when scoring on her first visit to the all-weather venue a fortnight ago.
She had hinted at ability last summer but really put things together last time and there looks more to come from the four-year-old.
The opening sprint handicap looks a tricky enough affair but Samrogue should be thereabouts.
Ross O’Sullivan’s charge is a four-time course and distance winner and was only beaten half-a-length off a 2lb lower mark on her last visit.
SELECTIONS
4.40 Samrogue
5.15 Posh Maisie (Dbl)
5.45 Pascalia
6.15 Sir Sagacious (Nap)
6.45 Freescape
7.15 Shoot To Kill
7.45 Moondharrig
8.15 Palace Rock
