Johann Strauss (purple) pictured on his way to finishing second to Sniper at Naas last October© Photo Healy Racing
Johann Strauss is the stand-out name on the card at Dundalk on Friday evening as the Racing Post Trophy runner-up bids to open his account at the sixth time of asking in the Dundalk Racecourse Of The Year Maiden.
The son of High Chaparral was partnered by Ryan Moore when staying on into second behind Kingston Hill at Doncaster last October but has failed to build on that promise in two starts so far this term.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was unlucky in running when reappearing on very testing ground at Leopardstown, and later last month kept on at one pace into sixth behind Sudden Wonder in the valuable Tattersalls Millions 3yo Trophy at Newmarket.
He still holds entries in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby but nothing less than a win will suffice on this occasion if those engagements are to be justified. Glowing Report a Dansili newcomer from the John Oxx yard, and Atlantic Sea currently rated 88 having filled the runner-up spot behind Johann Strauss' stablemates Giovanni Boldini and Guerre in maidens at Dundalk and the Curragh respectively last year, look the pick of the opposition in this 11-runner event over seven furlongs.
The Dermot Weld bandwagon shows no signs of stopping at present, and the Rosewell House maestro has an interesting runner later on the seven-race card with Pirate Cove in the Follow Us On Twitter Handicap.
The daughter of Lawman was sent off an odds-on favourite on her debut over seven furlongs at the Galway Festival last July but proved a rare disappointment for Weld at Ballybrit.
She now gets a handicap mark of just 57 following two further outings over mid-distances last term, and a drop back to a mile could prove ideal. Any market support for Pat Smullen's mount would obviously be significant.
