Ryan McElligott
3.00 DUBAI DUTY FREE FINEST SURPRISE EBF MAIDEN 6F
Intelligence Cross can build on his encouraging debut over this course and distance when he finished a head second to Grand Coalition. The War Front colt can be relied upon to progress well from that initial outing and he has a decent draw to aid his cause. He is preferred to Imagine If whose debut second to Callender at Navan makes for good reading. The latter didn’t let the form down when running a creditable fifth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Perfect Soldier is respected having finished just 2l behind Intelligence Cross when he was also making his debut. Pious Alexander is an interesting newcomer as a half-sister to her trainer’s top class juvenile Anthem Alexander.
Selection: INTELLIGENCE CROSS
Next Best: Imagine If
3.35 PADDY POWER HANDICAP 1M
A chance is taken on Elusive Heights. He looked a nice prospect when winning a Naas maiden on his debut two months ago and he lost little in defeat in a Killarney conditions race last time when going down by 1l to the subsequently Group 3-placed Long Island Sound. There should be more to come from him and he gets the vote ahead of Champagne Or Water.
The latter won a useful 7f fillies handicap at Gowran on her penultimate start and followed that with a good second to Creggs Pipes over this course and distance last month. She has climbed 9lbs in the ratings, but should still be closely involved. Hasanour is 7lbs higher than when winning this race last year. He finished in midfield in last week’s Hunt Cup but warrants maximum respect back over a course and distance that suit him so well. Breathe Easy was second in this race last year and could be interesting on his first run for Gavin Cromwell.
Selection: ELUSIVE HEIGHTS
Next Best: Champagne Or Water
4.05 DUBAI DUTY FREE MILLENIUM MILLIONAIRE CELEBRATION STAKES (LISTED) 1M
Foxtrot Charlie may be able to record his second victory at this level. His comeback third in the Gallinule Stakes was encouraging and he looked to appreciate the drop back to a mile when seeing off Tennessee Wildcat in a Leopardstown listed race earlier this month. After just three outings he is open to further progress and he might see off last year’s winner Sovereign Debt. The latter has yet to win this season, but his latest second to Mutakayyef in a competitive York listed race represented a good effort. Cougar Mountain will certainly appreciate the marked drop in class having contested last week’s Queen Anne Stakes. Hint Of A Tint is not without a chance on her third to Devonshire in a Group 2 here last month.
Selection: FOXTROT CHARLIE
Next Best: Sovereign Debt
4.40 GAIN RAILWAY STAKES (GROUP 2) 1M
He does have to contend with a drop in trip, but War Decree could follow up his smooth debut victory in a 7f Leopardstown maiden. Aidan O’Brien’s charge defeated stablemate Orderofthegarter by 1½l on that occasion and he looked to win with plenty to spare. His performance suggested that he could progress into a potentially high-class juvenile and it was interesting to note that, at the time, connections were considering a Coventry Stakes bid for him. He is preferred to stablemate Peace Envoy, who won the Rochestown Stakes last month and coped well with a drop back to 5f when finishing a close up fourth in last week’s Norfolk Stakes. Medicine Jack looks the preferred of Ger Lyons’ two runners – ahead of dual winner King Electric – and he can progress from last month’s smooth Navan triumph.
Selection: WAR DECREE
Next Best: Peace Envoy
6.00 DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP EBF HANDICAP (60-100) 2M
Botany Bay is a hopeful choice. Last year’s Ulster Derby winner did run with distinct promise when third to the Royal Ascot heroine Jennies Jewel over this course and distance last month and he should appreciate the drop in class having been beaten just under 9l into fourth by Order Of St George in the Savel Beg Sakes last time. There is every reason to believe that he can strike off his current rating.
Weather Watch, who once held a rating of 97 on the flat, is worth considering. He didn’t produce his best over hurdles at Roscommon last week but his previous second to Asbury Boss on the flat at Listowel was encouraging. He only has ½l to make up on that rival and could easily do so over this longer trip and in a race that may just suit him better. After dominating the finish of a 1m 7f Leopardstown handicap last time, Mandatorio and Abraham both command respect.
Selection: BOTANY BAY
Next Best: Weather Watch
6.30 DUBAI DUTY FREE JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE DASH STAKES (LISTED) 6F
He hasn’t won since landing last year’s Gladness Stakes, but Flight Risk does represent a solid option here. So far this season he has run with credit from 5f up to a mile and he comes here off a strong showing in last month’s Greenlands Stakes where he was beaten just a head by Mobsta. A repeat of that performance could enable him to carry the day. Maarek was beaten just over 1l into fourth in the Greenlands and any easing in the ground would suit him well. He could play a leading role. It will be intriguing to see how the stakes-winning juvenile Bebhinn can fare against her elders on her first run since September. This race also sees the reappearance of former Group 1-winning sprinter G Force, who returns the fray following an abortive stud career.
Selection: FLIGHT RISK
Next Best: Maarek
7.00 DUBAI DUTY FREE FULL OF SURPRISES SUMMER FILLIES HANDICAP 7F
Hazmiyra looked a filly with a nice future when she made a winning debut in a Naas maiden over this trip a month ago. She defeated Cry Me A River and subsequent winner Baliyka with plenty to spare and gave the impression that she could hold her own in a better type of race. The handicapper hasn’t taken any chances, giving her an initial mark of 93, but she could prove equal to the task at hand.
Dolce Strega didn’t enjoy the smoothest of passages in last week’s Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot when eventually finishing in midfield. She is better than she got to show there and now returns to a course and distance which yielded a Group 3 triumph for her in the Athasi Stakes at the start of last month. If Penny Pepper’s last run was ignored she could be given a definite chance of getting involved.