Rapid Applause can provide more cheer for O'Callaghan
Rawnaq could gain a deserved win in the JP McManus Hurdle, having run considerably below expectations in the Galway Hurdle. Photo: Patrick McCann
Michael O'Callaghan could do his bit for displaced Kerry people this weekend by claiming the biggest win of his burgeoning career with Rapid Applause at the Curragh.
A native of Tralee now domiciled on the Kildare plains, O'Callaghan will doubtless keep a close eye on the unexpected Gaelic Grounds destination for tonight's All-Ireland semi-final replay between the Kingdom and Mayo. However, as one of Flat racing's most ambitious young trainers, he will be more preoccupied with tomorrow's Group Three Round Tower Stakes.
O'Callaghan has achieved some notable results since acquiring a licence in 2012, including selling his Limerick winner Case Statement for £180,000 prior to it regrettably suffering a fatal injury at Royal Ascot.
Rapid Applause will bid to banish that memory in tomorrow's Nestle-sponsored €60,000 two-year-old contest. Successful on its Cork debut in April, the Royal Applause colt had little luck in either of his next two starts in classy company at the Curragh.
Most recently in the Anglesey Stakes, he got no room when trying to challenge en route to flashing home in third behind Dick Whittington. With Dick Whittington going on to land the Phoenix Stakes and runner-up Toscanini scoring at Dundalk, that form reads well. Moreover, Rapid Applause's profile ties in closely with Capella Sansevero. Ger Lyons' smart colt re-opposes tomorrow having been behind him in the Railway Stakes before going close in the Pheonix.
He is an obvious threat - among others - but the suspicion is that Rapid Applause is best-equipped to step up for the win under Fergal Lynch.
Aidan O'Brien, who unleashes the €2.85m Ol' Man River in the juvenile maiden, might combine with his son Joseph to take the fillies' Listed race with Together Forever.
The champion jockey has opted for Palace in the Dance Design Stakes, while Pat Smullen has plumped for Carla Bianca in favour of Afternoon Sunlight. That decision is expected to bear fruit. Dermot Weld's Dansili filly strode out impressively at Gowran Park last time, and she is progressive enough to warrant the nap vote on stepping up in class now.
Weld's Defining Year will be popular in the Irish Cambridgeshire, but Mick Halford is tipped to land this €60,000 winner's purse with Warbird. While Sheikh Mohammed's colt has disappointed on its last two starts, he gets in off a favourable mark here when you factor in Sean Corby's claim.
At Cork, Rawnaq can gain a deserved win the JP McManus Hurdle, having run considerably below expectations in the Galway Hurdle.
