Life's A Beach - five horses to look out for at Laytown on Thursday Land Of The Giants — Laytown 4.39pm Ado McGuinness has been the trainer to follow at Laytown, his record over the last four years yielding 7 winners with a sole success in 2024 along with doubles registered in 2022, 2023 and again last year. With seven runners on the card excluding his three reserves, McGuinness will be a busy man again. After Land Of The Giants carried the colours of his long-time patron Bart O'Sullivan, father of yard sponsor James O'Sullivan, he immediately nominated Laytown for his next run. This in-form 4yo is one of three runners from the yard in the opening 6f claimer and although dropping down in trip is expected to be in the shake up under the race conditions. Launch Time — Laytown 5.14pm Cian Hughes has not trained a winner at Laytown in his short career - his sole runner Deed Pole in 2024 finished down the field in the 6f claimer - but he does occasionally use nearby Mornington beach to exercise his string. Hughes has two entries on Thursday's card and his Launch Time in the 5.14pm is worth considering. The 4yo is a dual winner, including over 7f at Leopardstown last month off a 4lb lower mark when ridden by Colin Keane who teams up again. On his latest start off his current mark when runner-up at Bellewstown over 1m, he travelled strongly before taking up the lead but was outstayed by the winner Wegotogether (Gavin Cromwell) and had to settle for second. Hughes entered Launch Time up in three races on this card including the 7f handicap but his decision to tackle this shorter journey must be respected under the six-time champion. One word of caution though is he'll have to race without the visor he wore on his last three outings as they are not permitted on this unique day along with blinkers, eyecovers, eyeshields, hoods and cheekpieces. Bold Optimist — Laytown 5.49pm Curragh trainer Danny McLoughlin has enjoyed a tremendous season so far, winning Group 3 races with Magny Cours and Duckadilly, and Ireland's youngest handler relies on Bold Optimist to provide him with a first Laytown winner. Having dropped from a career-high rating of 84 after winning a Curragh sprint handicap over two years ago down to a moderate 63 here, he has performed well in defeat recently. Not beaten that far in a couple of sprint handicaps at the Curragh last month, the fitting of first-time blinkers on his latest start at Navan didn't have the desired effect. With no headgear allowed and 5lb lower, he might represent each-way value getting in at the bottom of this condensed handicap under Noel McParlan also seeking his first Laytown winner. Lohengrin — Laytown 6.50pm Local runners at this venue must always be respected and this 6yo returns to the scene of his last triumph for the Delaney family 12 months ago and has the able assistance of Colin Keane too. Successful over course and distance when rated 58 last year, Lohengrin relished the underfoot conditions when making every yard under Jordan Gainford and his preparation for this task has been something similar. He stepped up on previous form when running third in a 13-runner Navan 1m handicap after coming from off the pace last month and considering he races here off 48, he'll have his local supporters again. Indigo Dream — Laytown 7.20pm Trainer Ross O'Sullivan has enjoyed a good run under both codes in recent years and he sends Indigo Dream to contest the concluding 7f Q.R. Handicap with a notable rider booking in Patrick Mullins. Samrogue in 2022 was a first winner at this venue for O’Sullivan in the 6f handicap and he'll be hoping Eleanora Kennedy's grey filly, his only runner on the card, can double his beach tally. Having raced off a high of 92 over 12 months ago, Indigo Dream has dropped to her lowest rating of 77 for this assignment. In the hope that she acts on the beach (sole win came on the Polytrack at Dundalk over 7f last December) she looks capable of building on her most recent start when runner-up to British import Lohoobb at Gowran 7f.
