Artist firmly in Bellewstown frame Tony Martin yet again showed his prowess at targeting big handicaps when Heartbreak City landed the Betfred Ebor in tremendous style at York last Saturday, and the Moynalvey trainer could be on the mark again with Artful Artist in the featured Drogheda Traders Plate Handicap at Bellewstown on Wednesday. The Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s homebred gelding has been quite lightly raced since winning the valuable Guinness Handicap over this trip at the Galway Festival two years ago. The seven-year-old has been knocking on the door recently, beating all bar Water Sprite when returning to Ballybrit this year over two miles and again filling the runner-up spot at Killarney last week. Seamie Heffernan’s mount is now officially 4lb well-in as he’s been raised that amount in future handicaps, and can make the advantage tell over the progressive Tarazani. Tarazani was given a no-nonsense ride by Pat Smullen when making a successful handicap debut at Galway last month but has been hit with an 11lb hike in the ratings for that triumph. Richard Fahey adds some spice by sending over topweight Mica Mika, while recent Tipperary winner Hint Of Frost is another to consider in this €20,000 event. Hint Of Frost’s trainer Jessica Harrington may have the answer to the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden with Lady Morel. The Arcano juvenile caught the eye on debut when coming home strongly behind the impressive Dancing Waves at Down Royal, and should appreciate this slightly longer trip. Romanesque made a successful debut at this venue last month, and the lightly-raced son of Montjeu may add to his tally in the Byrne Marquees Hilltown Race for the father and son team of Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien. Dermot Weld appears to have found a good opportunity for A Likely Story in the Collierstown Maiden, with I Will Excel posing the chief threat in this sprint event.
