Dermot Weld targets fifth Irish Cesarewitch win with Dalton Highway

Tote Irish Cesarewitch Premier Handicap | 3yo+ | 2m | RTV

Andrew Slattery's fine season has included premier handicap wins for Dermot Weld on Jassaar and Kastasa and here the star apprentice will be seeking another big prize for the trainer on Dalton Highway in a race Weld has won four times.

With seven wins, the John Joe Walsh-trained Davids Charm, runner-up in this race a year ago, is the most prolific of the 18 runners in the line-up.

The versatile eight-year-old is on a four-timer having followed up his 1m6f victory at Killarney in August with hurdle race wins at Listowel and Tipperary.

Willie Mullins, who has won two of the last four runnings of the race, with Digeanta (2015) and Laws Of Spin (2016), mounts a four-strong challenge with Saglawy, who heads the weights, Nessun Dorma, fourth 12 months ago, Legal Spin and Royal Illusion. Joseph O'Brien is also four-handed with Eminent Authority, Shakespear'sgalley, Linger and Royal Aide.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Saglawy, Nessun Dorma, Legal Spin and Royal Illusion
Saglawy has top weight in his first handicap. He won well at Listowel last time and is in good form. Nessun Dorma ran very well at Leopardstown last month when having his first run of the season. Hopefully, he will improve from the run. Legal Spin ran very well over the course and trip in June but probably wouldn't want the ground to get any slower. Royal Illusion had a good run last time and Joey Sheridan's 7lb claim should give her a realistic chance.

Willie Mullins: saddles four in the Irish CesarewitchCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

John Joe Walsh, trainer of Davids Charm
He came out of his hurdles win at Tipperary last weekend well. We're very happy with him and, hopefully, he'll go one better than he did in the race last year.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Eminent Authority, Shakespear'sgalley, Linger and Royal Aide
Eminent Authority is going up in trip but is bred to stay. Linger is versatile and very straight-forward but has gone up a good bit in the weights this year. Shakespear'sgalley, too, has climbed up the ratings and this will be his biggest task to date. Royal Aide is progressive and while he's up in trip, we think he'll stay.

Frank Berry, racing manager to J P McManus, owner of Rock De Baune and Baba Boom
Rock De Baune won nicely at Listowel last month and John Kiely is very happy with him. Baba Boom has had only one race this year and ran well despite not having the clearest of runs at the Galway festival. Johnny Murtagh's horses are going well and we're hoping for a good run.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Dalton Highway
He has been very consistent all year. He's very well and I expect him to run very well, although I wouldn't like to see any more rain.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Lever Du Soleil
He's in great nick for this return from jumping and the ground and trip should suit, but he's gone up a good bit in the ratings this year, so we'll have to see how he copes off a mark of 83.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Shamad
He's had a brilliant season and should get the trip once the ground doesn't get too testing. Although he has climbed in the weights, we're hoping to get some prize-money.

Noel Meade, trainer of Red Gerry and Dinard Rose
Although Red Gerry will be going the distance for the first time all the indications are that he should stay. He goes on the ground as does Dinard Rose, who is wrong at the weights. She stays well.

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