Four under-the-radar trainers to watch out for when Irish racing returns

With Irish racing set to resume behind closed doors at Naas on June 8, the Racing Post’s Mark Boylan highlighted four somewhat under-the-radar trainers it could pay to watch out for during the summer in Ireland…

Matthew Smith

The dual-purpose County Meath handler is extremely capable when given the right ammunition, as proven with his handling of remarkable three-time Galway festival scorer One Cool Poet and Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle second Ronald Pump.

The Longines Irish Champions Weekend-winning handler should be well able to continue his progression through the training ranks, with promising three-year-old Flaming Moon one to look forward to this summer.

Aidan Fogarty

The man who saddled Forever In Dreams to finish second in last year’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot popped up with nine winners in 2019, four of which were priced at 14-1, 16-1, 16-1 and 20-1.

The up-and-coming trainer can continue his forward momentum when racing resumes next month, with the backing of leading bloodstock figures Con and Theresa Marnane an important asset to his operation.

Aidan Howard

The dual-purpose handler’s progress hasn’t gone unnoticed in recent seasons and he has done particularly well with JP McManus-owned performers transferred from Britain, such as Charli Parcs and Winter Escape.

A shrewd individual when it comes to placing his horses, he may have lost progressive four-year-old Franklyn (now called Happy Fortune) to Hong Kong, but he proved he can deliver the goods when handling the right stock and should be set for another big campaign.

Emmet Mullins

The former Cheltenham Festival-winning rider appears to be steadily building a smart squad and is another very capable individual when it comes to finding the right races for his string.

The nephew of legendary trainer Willie Mullins is always respected when sending runners to the UK, but he can continue to make waves on home soil over the coming months when Irish racing resumes.

More to read

• Irish racing to resume on June 8
• The top trainers and jockeys you need to know in France
• Five northern handicappers to watch