Ireland today

Bellewstown is today´s Irish meeting and after the wholesale abandonments last week, it is no surprise that there are maximum fields. The card comprises 4 flat races, 3 hurdles race and a bumper. Three of the flat races are mile handicaps, and the best of them at 18.15 CET has an interesting German-bred runner Poppyfield (Harry Rogers/ Colm O´Donoghue), a half-brother to Precious Boy. He showed little on hs recent comeback from a long break, but could run well at a big price. Rock and Roll Kid (Tony and Danny Mullins) is in theory a good thing in the 17.45 race after defeating 27 (!) opponents at the Curragh last Saurday; he has been raised 18lbs for that win but runs today with only a 5 lbs penalty. The best hurdle race is at 19.15 and ex-German Spiriton (Pat Cashman/ Davy Condon) must have a chance of atoning for his fall last time out, but Quinmaster (Mike Halford/ Ruby Walsh) and Gay Sloane (Noel Meade/ Niall Madden), an easy last-time-out winner, are two serious opponent s.