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Limerick tomorrow and if this rain keeps up it’s going to be a slog. Probably a fair few non runners aswell and we may end up with a reserve getting in and 4 runners as a result. Papal Count was refused a mark after his 3rd run and we’re trying to get him out quick. He didn’t progress much from his first run to his second and needs to be careful. Handicapping is where his future lies for sure and to get going at it ASAP is the priority. Dianthus runs in the first. I was concerned pre race that she may be too gassy for her first run and so it proved. She showed plenty and if that weak finishing effort can be fully explained by lack of fitness and over exuberance then she should be bashing down the door tomorrow. Her draw in 12 doesn’t help but I had notions that this lady was stakes class in testing conditions and she’d want to be getting on and proving me right or wrong. Dean Street Doll is next and she’s drawn in 2 in what appears to be a tough enough maiden. This lady is interesting in that she is well bred, has a Guineas entry and had a more than satisfactory debut last backend. She has been in training just shy of 4 months and is ready to start back. She looked wintry for ages but has started to look well this 2 weeks past. Anyway she shows plenty of dash and I think she’s a lovely filly in the making but she’s going to take time. Her mother was a late developer and stayed well. This lady will more than likely be similar. As was the case on debut she needs to do things sensibly and conserve and finish her race, a nice positive run is the priority, winning would be a surprise but one I could cope with. Bianca Minola goes in the (almost) 12f handicap later and it would be a surprise if she were to get involved. Her angle is the ground, she handles hock deep conditions and just hasn’t been getting them. Saying that she appears to be going through the motions and for a fully fit filly that is moving well and healthy she’s not troubling the judge or even close to it. I can’t think of any reason not to run her so run she will and maybe it might spark a return to form. I could do with the same!