Curragh 2:28 Result

Banks Of The Boyne is the classic improving nursery type - form figures 802241 show a clear upward trajectory culminating in a recent win just 9 days ago, suggesting he's fit, fresh and progressive. He's dropped/settled at a fair mark of 79 and is clearly on a fast upward curve, winning last time out and quick back to action which points to a yard with confidence in him. Tradewinds, the likely market elite (OR 85, top weight, Ballydoyle), has solid but unspectacular recent form (532330) - plenty of minor placings without winning again since an initial effort, suggesting he may be workmanlike rather than progressive, and could be vulnerable to weight at the top of the nursery scale. Luca Brillante (672) and Margot Mae (637) are the Weld/Harrington fillies with fair placed form but no wins in that sequence, and Margot Mae is fairly and freshly threatening but 51 days off could blunt sharpness. Elyatta and Exchange Student are the class outsiders on official ratings and look up against it. Draw 6 for Banks Of The Boyne is workable over 7f at the Curragh, not a big handicap. The key angle is his trajectory - improving handicappers who've just won and back quickly often go in again, and the gelding's proven course form and rating room to improve make him the value versus a topweight who hasn't won for a while.