Weekend Preview | Oldtown 15th February 2020

Race 1 - Goffs 4yo Maiden

Colin Bowe and Denis Murphy are the two handlers to have saddled four-year-old maiden winners on the opening weekend of the 2020 four-year-old season, ensuring their youngsters are clearly in good form.

The market will give the best indication of what is to be expected of the remainder.

Race 2 - The Underwriting Exchange 5yo Geldings Maiden

WESTERN LIMITS came from off the pace to finish a close third at Kirkistown back in November and he could well set the standard for this as a result. Tommys Oscar has been busy of late, as he hit the crossbar last month on consecutive weekends, with the latest of those placed efforts coming in a red-hot Tyrella maiden.

The Silent Trainer and The Whistle Blower represent the Doyle brothers and both have made the frame, whilst Land Afar finished a fine third in reasonably large field four-year-old maiden at Dromahane over Christmas, to ensure that he too has to be given big claims in this.

Race 3 - Devenish Nutrition Winner Of Two

Twelve months ago Eddie Power won the winner-of-one at Bellharbour with Perpignan and followed up a week later by taking this race. He managed to win that race at the Co. Clare course for a second year last Sunday with THE BLIND PIPER and would look to have every chance of repeating that double once again here.

Beatthebullet was back to his best at Ballycrystal and is certainly the danger, alongside the locally trained Mr Bercow who was unphased by testing conditions when making a winning debut at Ballindenisk.

Race 4 - Gannons City Recovery Open- Novice Riders

UCELLO CONTI has not quite reached the same heights as last season having met with defeat on his seasonal re-appearance at Ballindenisk before Christmas, but this could be an opportunity for the former high class chaser to get back among the winners.

Samanntom is a capable pointer, who will offer a strong challenge, alongside Venitien De Mai, Horendus Hulabaloo, Mad Jack Mytton and Mine Now.

Race 5 - Lougher Stables & ITBA 5yo Mares Maiden

TIMELESS BEAUTY made his debut in a competitive looking four-year-old maiden at Inch last Easter when finishing a respectable fourth to Emtara. She will likely not face anything of that standard here and may be the one to beat.

Milano Citizen has been a competitive sort for the CAFRE College and could make her re-appearance, whilst in a race like this, the newcomers may offer particular interest.

Race 6 - The Considine Family 6yo Geldings Maiden

Well-backed before the off, Diegos Way looked unfortunate at Knockmullen House last Sunday, as having set a strong gallop, he came down at the penultimate fence when having the race at his mercy.

It may be tough to follow up so quickly after that hard race, so preference goes to LOUGHHILL, who is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth and was never able to catch the runaway winner at Tyrella a fortnight ago in an eye-catching run.