Artemis Jones

(Johnny Murtagh)

Dundalk, February 17th

It did not appear to be the deepest of six-furlong maiden that Artemis Jones finished third in on debut but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from how she rattled home from off the pace to reach the frame at 40/1. A three-year-old filly by Awtaad, she should appreciate stepping up in trip and will have learned plenty from this experience, having looked green and/or a shade outpaced early on. (MB)

Slip Of The Tongue

(Padraig Roche)

Gowran, February 18th

A Listed winner over hurdles who was also placed in Grade 2 and Grade 3 company in that sphere, it seems as though Slip Of The Tongue is getting the hang of things over fences and may not have to wait long to make the breakthrough as a chaser. Albeit he was in calmer waters than previously, there was improvement on his latest appearance on Red Mills Day when third to the relatively useful Grandero Bello. He can win a similar beginners’ chase and will later be interesting in handicaps. (MB)

Quantum Storm

(Gordon Elliott)

Punchestown, February 19th

It’s highly possible the concluding bumper at Punchestown last Sunday was fought out by some above-average sorts, and runner-up Quantum Storm should be up to going one better before long. He may have got the run of the race on the front end but didn’t help his cause by racing a little too enthusiastically. It was a fair effort from him to split Cheltenham-bound winner Ballyburn and the talented Irish Panther, who had previously finished a promising second to Fact To File in a Leopardstown Christmas Festival bumper. (MB)

Meritorious

(John McConnell)

Punchestown, February 22nd

Meritorious was a big eyecatcher in the way he finished out his race to be third to Soldier Solid and Fameaftertheglory, so much so, his rider Thomas Reilly received a 10-day ban from the stewards for breaching Rule 212A(ii).

The five-year-old was well off the leaders turning for home but he picked up very well in the straight to run on for third, defying odds of 100/1.His recent form at Dundalk is uninspiring, but previously he was ratred 81 on the flat for John and Thady Gosden, so the back class is there, and this was just his third run over hurdles. The horse also received a ban from running for 42 days but he will be of interest when he returns and can be allotted a handicap mark now. (RG)

Cahirdown Boy

(Eric McNamara)

Thurles, February 23rd

Cahirdown Boy travelled nicely through the two-mile-six-furlong handicap chase for qualified riders at Thurles, but possibly too well in one respect, as he got to the front as early as the third last. He did keep on well in the straight but just got nabbed after the last. Nevertheless, it was a good effort, and he has been runner-up on two of his last three starts now (fell on the other) suggesting that a mark of 101 over fences should be well within his compass.