Bowerman won three all-weather races for Roger Varian in the UK and has run well enough in two starts for new connections to suggest he'll take some beating here. However, he has to concede 9lb to MIA MARIA and that could prove beyond him. Dermot Weld's filly made a belated reappearance at the Curragh in July where she won with plenty in hand before a decent effort in a Group 3 over slightly further on the same track. Ideal Pal completed a hat-trick in minor company in mid-summer but has found it tough from his new mark and though Phoenix Open is progressing he has more to do than when beaten a short-head in a Leopardstown handicap. Golden Eye Diamond was due to run at Dundalk last night.
Bowerman 9-10fav (12-3) 4th of 13, 11l behind Dalileo (12-9) at Cork 1m 4f Yielding in Sep.
Ideal Pal (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Pushed along early, soon raced in 4th, pushed along again into straight, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 15, 4 3/4l behind Franklyn (8-12) at Listowel 1m 1f hcp sft in Sep.
Phoenix Open (USA) 7-2 (9-2) A little uneasy in stalls, soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, headway on inner from 2f out, on terms 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on well, just denied, 2nd of 8, shd behind Raphael (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gf in Jul.
Mia Maria (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Broke well, settled back into mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 9th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Goddess (9-0) at Curragh 1m 1f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
Golden Eye Diamond 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, niggled along in 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out, dropped to 4th over 1f out, short of room final 150 yards, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 4l behind Fantasy (9-0) at Navan 5f mdn gf in Jul.
