EXILE SET FOR WARRIOR SUCCESS AT MULLINGAR

Ian Fortune

Road Exile will start a red-hot favourite to win the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior at Mullingar this afternoon, although he needs to be at his sharpest at trap rise if he is to complete his unbeaten march through the €5,000 to the winner competition.

The flying brindle has really taken to Mullingar and a trap three draw wouldn’t normally be a concern but the presence of Zippy Canning in four is an issue. The latter edged inwards into the turn last week and were he to produce one of his fast starts, he could potentially cause Road Exile a few concerns in the early exchanges.

Born Racer has been in fine form also. The Jennifer O’Donnell trained speedster has made a successful transition to sprinting as proven by his superb run in the quarter finals. That run came from trap one, the same box he will race from this afternoon. Were he to get first run on his rivals, he too could make a bold bid.

Crammed between Born Racer and Road Exile is the Keith Powell trained Scarborough Fair. He has yet to win in the competition but boasts a fine record of ten wins from twenty-nine starts. He is another capable of a slick exit and it wouldn’t need too much to go his way for him to get involved.

James Kerr’s Manalishi Jet made full use of a good draw in the semis to come home in front. This is a far tougher test for the son of Ballymac Best but he again lines out in the stripes and any traffic on his inner would aid his cause. That leaves Killeshil Ranger. One of the rank outsiders, Vincent Lynch’s tracker has only twice failed to make the frame. That’s a fine habit to have but only his best will suffice on this occasion. In fact, he may ned a career best effort to land a telling blow.

It really is difficul to see beyond Road Exile. The Pat Buckley trained star has thebest form on offer, is proven in the highest company and comes into the race in rare form. If trapping as fluently as he has in recent weeks, he will quickly emerge as the one to beat. On the strength of an inside draw, Born Racer is seen as the greatest threat but Zippy Canning is also respected. The best of luck to all.

Don’t forget that the final of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior can viewed live as part of the afternoon coverage on www.sisracing.tv.