Big Run Expected from Custom Cut David O'Meara expects a return to Leopardstown to bring out the best in Custom Cut as he tackles Sunday's Ard Glen Construction Amethyst Stakes. The seasoned campaigner has a fine record at the Foxrock circuit, winning the Desmond Stakes in 2014 and the Boomerang Stakes the following year. He failed to add to his tally of 12 career victories during last season, but ran perhaps his best race when runner-up to Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Awtaad in the Boomerang here in September. Custom Cut suffered a short-priced reverse on his latest appearance in a conditions event at Thirsk a fortnight ago, but O'Meara points to his creditable comeback effort when sixth in the Doncaster Mile as evidence his eight-year-old still has plenty to offer. "Seven furlongs on fast ground wasn't ideal for him at Thirsk last time, but he ran a good race before that in the Doncaster Mile," said the Helmsley-based trainer. "He's obviously won at Leopardstown and was second to Awtaad there last year as well, so he likes the track. "We feel his first run of the year was good, he's in good form at home and we'd be hopeful enough." Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen have combined to land four of the last seven renewals of this Group Three contest, with the admirable Famous Name racking up a hat-trick between 2010 and 2012. This year the Rosewell House team rely on unexposed filly Raymonda, who won her first two starts before being beaten into fourth when a hot favourite for the Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse last July. Aidan O'Brien fields Cougar Mountain, while Tom Hogan sends stable stalwart Gordon Lord Byron into battle once more. The Jim Bolger-trained Tribal Beat and Elleval from David Marnane's stable complete the six-strong field.
