Ryan McElligott
2.05 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES MAIDEN 6F
Dawn Delivers has a good opportunity to get off the mark following two commendable runs in defeat. On her debut at Leopardstown she was just denied by Lethal Steps and over this course and distance two weeks ago she finished a 3½l second to US Navy Flag. The latter did his bit to boost that form with a good second in the July Stakes on Thursday.
With previous experience to aid her cause, Dawn Delivers is chosen ahead of Magical, who is an own-sister to last season’s Fillies Mile heroine and dual classic runner-up Rhododendron.
Selection: DAWN DELIVERS
Next best: Magical
2.35 PLUSVITAL SPEED GENE NURSERY HANDICAP 6F
The first nursery of the season and Golden Spell is chosen to defy top weight. She started her career with a third to India Rain over 5f at Cork and, despite finding 5f on the sharp side at Bellewstown last week, she was still able to defeat Brick By Brick by a neck. The step-up to this trip will suit this daughter of Al Kazeem well.
Navajo Dreamer has a light weigh to aid her cause and her rider also claims a valuable 7lbs to increase her chances further. Her second to Amenette in a Limerick maiden last month puts her into contention and she doesn’t look badly treated on the balance of her form. The experienced Summerseat Mist is another to keep in mind.
Selection: GOLDEN SPELL
Next best: Navajo Dreamer
3.10 KILBOY ESTATE STAKES (GROUP 2) 1M 1F
Turret Rocks has put together a number of solid runs this season and she could add this race to the Blue Wind Stakes victory that she recorded here two months ago. Over a trip that was probably sort of her best she didn’t run at all badly when sixth to Qemah in a 1m Group 2 at Royal Ascot and then she returned to domestic action with an honourable third to Nezwaah in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes a fortnight ago. The quick ground will be in her favour.
Laganore has yet to win this season but a number of her efforts give her every chance. She ran quite respectably last time to finish sixth in the Pretty Polly, she only has ¾l to find with Turret Rocks on their meeting in the Blue Wind Stakes and the slightly shorter trip of this race should suit her.
Selection: TURRET ROCKS
Next best: Laganore
3.45 QATAR AIRWAYS MINSTREL STAKES (GROUP 2) 7F
On his first outing of the season Dutch Connection ran with credit to finish sixth to Ribchester in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the benefit of that comeback run along with a return to his ideal trip could see him take beating. His form at this trip includes wins in the 2015 Jersey Stakes and the 2016 Lennox Stakes among the strongest form on offer here.
Possibly, Spirit Of Valor could be the one that gives him most to do. This colt was unable to play a leading role in either the English or Irish 2000 Guineas but then ran a massive race in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot where he belied odds of 66/1 to lose out by just a neck to Le Brivido.
Selection: DUTCH CONNECTION
Next best: Spirit Of Valor
4.15 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF FILLIES HANDICAP 1M
Groundfrost has shown up well in several decent handicaps this season and she deserves to get her turn. Last time out she was beaten just over 1½l by Asking in a 7f handicap here two weeks ago. Earlier in the season she went down by just a neck to Constant Comment in a valuable 1m handicap. She wouldn’t need to improve much on that form to carry the day.
Bumbasina has to contend with top weight and she will need to improve on her penultimate sixth to Constant Comment. However, she probably wasn’t at her best that day and last week she ran very well to be beaten less than 2l into fifth in the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse. This represents a notable drop in class for her.
Selection: GROUNDFROST
Next best: Bumbasina
4.45 KILASHEE HANDICAP 2M
She wasn’t at his best last time but the testing ground probably wouldn’t have been in her favour and Micras is better judged on her previous efforts. On Guineas weekend she finished a 5½l second to the impressive Whiteout over this course and distance and before that she won a 2m handicap at Clonmel. She has a light weight to aid her cause and possibly has less to prove than some of her rivals.
It is nearly five years since Sure Reef last ran on the flat. He has shown some decent form over jumps in the interim although he hasn’t been at his best lately. He is an intriguing runner, as is former Irish Cesarewitch-winning stablemate Digeanta who reappears for the first time since the 2015 running of the November Handicap.
Selection: MICRAS
Next best: Sure Reef
5.20 CURRAGH ‘WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE’ FILLIES MAIDEN 1M
Famous Pearl can build on a highly promising debut at Cork earlier in the season where she was beaten less than 3l into third by Gold Spinner. That looked a useful maiden and the form of the race has since worked out well which would suggest that this filly should have no trouble making her mark in a maiden. Provided she can overcome a three-month absence from the track she should take beating.
She is taken to see off Curly Girl who progressed well from her first two runs to chase home Casla in a maiden at this track on Derby weekend. The experienced Kamili is another to keep in mind along with Above Us Only Sky and the Sea The Stars newcomer Muniza.
Selection: FAMOUS PEARL
Next best: Curly Girl