Aidan O’Brien to have first Bellewstown runner of the season on Friday 🔎

Aidan O’Brien reached another outstanding personal milestone with Auguste Rodin’s victory in the Irish Derby on Sunday, his 100th European classic. The master of Ballydoyle had a 43 per cent strike-rate at Bellewstown last season, with three winners from just seven runners.

He’s yet to have a runner at the track so far this season but that is set to change on Friday. O’Brien sends just one runner to the track and it could be notable debutante. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

7.05 Bellewstown

Erato makes her belated debut here and must have taken a while to come to hand. She’s related to plenty of winners at up to 1m6f and is full-sister to a Group 3 winner over 1m2f. On this evidence, it’s reasonable to assume that 1m4f is a good starting point for her. The good ground should also suit this daughter of Galileo.

Johnny Murtagh’s Esquiline looks like potentially the biggest danger, having finished second in both of her starts this year. Joseph O’Brien’s Delicate Girl appears to be improving and could also pose a threat. However, if Erato is anywhere near as able as her breeding suggests, there shouldn’t be a horse in this field that can catch Seamie Heffernan’s mount.

O’Brien has had 12 runners in maiden races in the last fortnight and has come away with five winners, giving him a strike-rate of 42 per cent and that’s very healthy indeed. This filly is certainly an interesting debutante and she should be well capable of getting off the mark at the first time of asking here.

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