JOCKEY Fran Berry was in unstoppable form at the last Gowran Park meeting and he is expected to resume his winning ways at the Co Kilkenny venue this afternoon, where he has a good chance of completing a treble through Khatinza, Grecian Dancer and Athenian Way.
Feature race on the card is the listed EBF Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes in which Blessyourpinksox, Anna Karenina and Dancing Sky would all have strong claims if running to best form.
Athenian Way is the most inexperienced filly in the line-up with only a maiden win at the Curragh last month to her credit, but the form of that race is rock solid and she is a tentative choice to oblige.
The Pricewaterhouse Coopers Classic Trial is rather flattered by its title but the Aidan O'Brientrained Mahler is an interesting runner, particularly as O'Brien has a good strike rate in this mile-and-a-half contest. He was impressive when winning his maiden at Leopardstown two weeks ago and will appreciate the trip.
Seamus Heffernan's mount is sure to give a good account of himself but slight preference is for Vincenzio Galilei, from the in-form Ger Lyons yard. The Galileo colt was a creditable second to the subsequent Ballysax Stakes scorer Mores Wells at Leopardstown last month and this step up in distance should suit.
Meanwhile at Sligo, Ruby Walsh could be the man to follow. He teams up with trainer Tony Martin for the mount on Hegrid in the Harry's Bar Handicap Hurdle and the duo look set to follow up their win at Thurles last time with success here, while Allgrownup holds most appeal in the second division of the mares maiden hurdle.
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