Handel to perform

Handel was denied a chance to run in the Derby but the switch to tomorrow?s Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh should pay dividends for the Aidan O?Brien-trained colt.

There are plenty in Ballydoyle who believe Handel would have been far from disgraced at Epsom and there is little doubt that he looks a horse to follow.

In breaking his duck at Leopardstown, Handel was never threatened and merely confirmed the improvement for a debut start he had been showing at home.

The O?Brien runner is still very much the dark horse of the six-runner field, which has Richard Hannon?s Mooresbridge Stakes winner, Nysaean, topping the weights.

Nysaean hasn?t run since then and has to give a significant 16lbs to his younger rivals. They also include the Irish Guineas sixth, Napper Tandy, but if there is a potential star in the Gallinule this year, it looks to be Handel.

Dermot Weld gives Graceunderpressure a second start in the six-furlong maiden and will be hoping for a lot better than her Cork debut, when she was an expensive failure behind Book Binder.

Assigh Lady was only a neck off Cool Cousin over the course and distance of the sprint handicap and looks up to going one better.

Limerick hosts its first black-type event on the flat today and the Listed Martin Molony Stakes has attracted a competitive field.

Nevertheless the 112 rating that Mkuzi brings to the race - and on the back of a Cork success over Wensum Dancer - makes a pretty convincing argument for him winning. If Handel has his chance in the Gallinule, then his backers will be looking for encouragement in the mile-and-a-half maiden from Rayshan, who chased the O?Brien runner home at Leopardstown.