Irish Derby Festival: Fiuntach can collect at The Curragh

David Metcalf | June 23, 2016

Fiuntach appeals in Apprentice Derby

Fiuntach scored in good style last time out and can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to follow-up in the Donnedal Apprentice Derby on the opening day of the Irish Derby Festival at The Curragh (19:00).

The Jim Bolger trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise in his first two starts this season, finishing third to subsequent Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Jet Setting at Cork before chasing home the useful Discipline at Gowran Park.

Fiuntach then got off the mark when fitted with the blinkers for the first time when landing an eight runner maiden at Wexford, staying on strongly to beat Evening Rush by a neck.

The runner-up and third home Arya Tara have both come out and won since to give the form a rock solid look, and Fiuntach has been allotted an opening handicap mark of just 78 on the back of that success.

That looks exploitable on his runs behind Jet Setting and Discipline, so Fiuntach has a progressive profile and looks the type that should have plenty more to offer.

Udogo feared most

Joseph O’Brien has made a fine start to his training career and his Udogo looks sure to go well.

The five-year-old is a consistent sort who has won twice and made the frame on five occasions in 11 starts of the turf.