Sceptred Isle faces tough test as she bids for three-timer in competitive Ulster Cesarewitch

The 2m2½f Grant Thornton Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap is typically competitive, the field dipping under double figures just once in the last 12 years, and this year's race is no different as the George Kingston-trained Sceptred Isle will have to fend off a dozen rivals to bring up the three-timer.

The seven-year-old mare ran a belter on stable debut when third at Navan in May and has landed successive handicaps since, scoring at Tipperary over 1m4½f before shouldering an 11lb rise to victory at Leopardstown when stepped up in trip to 1m7f.

Given how she saw out that trip, this stamina test should be of little concern and a 5lb rise isn't overly burdensome, so she has strong claims provided they go a decent gallop as she has a tendency to be slow from the gates.

Astar is tasked with top weight for Dermot Weld. She has talent and her maiden from last season reads quite well, but she disappointed a touch at Leopardstown when eighth of ten last time. She needs more but that could be forthcoming over this trip.

After disappointing over fences at the Galway festival, Barnacullia again ran below himself on his penultimate start at Tramore, but showed much more to work on when a close fifth at Bellewstown last time. He is capable off his current mark of 75.

Andy Oliver saddles two and Wisdomofhindsight is interesting given his relatively unexposed profile. He seemed to enjoy the stamina test at Roscommon last time out when stepped up to 1m4f on heavy ground, finishing runner-up to Avondale. 

Squire Danagher has some nice form from earlier in the season which ties in with the likes of Saturn and Ethical Diamond, and he isn't without a chance, particularly if the rain stays away.

Zoffanien is the each-way pick after two encouraging runs for his new handler Terence O'Brien. His run at Galway when third to Busselton reads well and he saw out the distance on that occasion stoutly. He seemed to relish the Ballybrit hill, so this test should be right up his alley.

What they say

Andy Oliver, trainer of Squire Danagher and Wisdomofhindsight
Squire Danagher won twice at Dundalk earlier in the year and promised a bit but things haven't worked out for him. We do think he has plenty of ability and will get the trip. He needs good ground. Wisdomofhindsight took a while to settle in his races but had a nice run at Roscommon last time. The trip shouldn't be an issue for him as he's a big galloping horse and stayed a mile and a half well at Roscommon.

Terence O'Brien, trainer of Zoffanien
He's had two decent runs at Galway and Killarney. He was up a bit in class at Killarney and this longer trip should suit him better. He should be fine on the ground. He's seven now, so I'm not sure how much more improvement is in him, but he should be in the shake-up with a bit of luck.

George Kingston, trainer of Sceptred Isle
She's in great form and I think she'll stay the trip. The more rain, the better. If it is good ground, she'll run, but I'd be worried if it was any quicker as her best form is on soft.

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