Most Wanted went into the notebook as a future winner on his debut last season and can strike on his return to action at Gowran this afternoon.
The Andrew Kinirons-trained gelding went to post a 100/1 shot first time up in a hot Leopardstown maiden last October but belied those odds to run a cracker and finish third to Rare Middleton.
That race has thrown up a couple of easy winners subsequently and the Buratino gelding is entitled to improve plenty from his belated first start.
He is now a five-year-old and connections can be rewarded for their patience with the big chestnut.
The fact that he holds a Group Two entry in the Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh next month shows the esteem in which his trainer holds him.
Esculenta sets the standard in the race off a mark of 85 and it would be disappointing if Most Wanted couldn’t surpass that level.
Esculenta was given a couple of stiff tests in stakes company on her last two starts of last season but has some solid form in the book which would make her a big player at her best.
An interesting runner in the race is the smart hurdler Party Central but she looks best watched over nine furlongs on the level.
The opening conditions race over seven has attracted some decent sorts and Lord Massusus looks the one to side with in the four-runner event.
Joe Murphy’s charge was a progressive two-year-old last season and handled a good cut in the ground.
The Markaz gelding won twice and ended his season with a good run in the final of the auction series. He looks well worth his mark of 94.
Spirit Genie, officially rated 93, comes out best at the weights and ran well in testing conditions at Cork last season. He’s a danger.
In the following mile handicap, Asisaid may be able to follow up after springing a 20/1 shock on his return at Leopardstown last week.
The Ivawood gelding had reportedly matured over the winter and was a different proposition when claiming a neck victory over Patrick Street.
He was value for a bit more than the bare winning margin then and despite a 8lb hike there looks scope for further improvement, especially going another furlong now.
Barnhill Rose, who was third to him last time, is now 4lb better off at the weights so has to rank as a danger.
GARY CARSON'S SELECTIONS
4.10 Lord Massusus (Dbl)
4.40 Asisaid
5.10 Harry’s Legacy
5.45 Bringsty
6.15 Astar
6.45 Carlo Bianconi
7.15 Most Wanted (Nap)
