2.15 Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden 6f
The conditions of this maiden fit in just right for Bad Timing, a Ger Lyons-trained newcomer by Mehmas who cost €30,000 at last year’s Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. Navan’s opener is restricted to juvenile fillies who cost €30,000 or less at public auction. By a top sire and the first foal out of a Shadwell mare, who was rated 74 after winning a maiden over an extended mile and three furlongs, she has a mix of speed and stamina in her pedigree. She was withdrawn from a breeze-up sale in the spring.
Of those who have already run, Danny Murphy’s Agouti Bear has decent credentials. She showed up well when runner-up to a ready winner on her only start at the Curragh, and those by her sire, Kodi Bear, often improve nicely from their introductory runs. Moonhall Church has started her career with two fine efforts, not beaten far here or at Naas, so ought to be on the premises again.
SELECTION: BAD TIMING
Next best: Agouti Bear
2.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race 6f
Grande Marques had no answer to an easy Juddmonte winner in a fillies’ maiden at Naas a couple of weeks ago but still ran respectably enough in fourth even if it wasn’t any improvement on her solid seventh of 21 runners in the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes. The form of her debut third at the Curragh behind Heavens Gate has worked out well and she might prove effective in a small field like this if able to deliver her ‘A’ game.
Snapdragon sets the standard with a mark of 90 but has been frustrating to follow, runner-up on each of his last three starts (sent off at odds of 3/1 or less each time). Of course, it’s possible he might just outclass these but he comes with some risk given that run of results.
SELECTION: GRANDE MARQUES
Next best: Snapdragon
3.25 Simonstown Handicap 5f
This handicap is designed for a horse rated 70 to carry top-weight of 10st, but the top two here hold marks of 66 and 63, so it has turned out to be a lesser quality event than would have been anticipated. The in-form Hero Of The Hour has ended up the highest-rated runner in the line-up and looks bound to be involved again after another good showing when third at Bellewstown 11 days ago, having won his previous two starts at Down Royal and Naas. He’s clearly in a good place at present.
Devil’s Angel was a touch disappointing last week at the Curragh but that was a much more competitive contest than this and he probably ended up on the wrong side, drawn in stall one. Dropped a further 3lb since to 63, he’s surely going to pop up in one of these handicaps off that type of rating. Jenny Lynch deserves a change of luck with the consistent Irish Rumour, who notched her fourth second in the space of six starts when runner-up on her return from a break at the Curragh two weeks ago.
SELECTION: HERO OF THE HOUR
Next best: Devil’s Angel
4.00 Rathkenny Handicap 5f
Fresh from outclassing her rivals down in grade at the Curragh a fortnight ago, Ostraka is fancied to follow up with a win off 6lb higher. James Ryan maintains the partnership with Danny Murphy’s filly, who has a high cruising speed and shaped like this was very much her trip last time.
Harry’s Hill has to cope with the same rise in the handicap for winning at Bellewstown 11 days ago. He should go close at a track where he has notched a win, a second and a third from his last five visits. Transcendental, Red Letter Bray and Emerald Harmony all bring solid recent form to the table, while Only Spoofing certainly loves this course.
SELECTION: OSTRAKA
Next best: Harry’s Hill
4.35 Irish Stallion Farms EBF
Fillies & Mares Maiden 1m
There was loads to like about what Liltia showed last time at Cork when taking a massive step forward from her Bellewstown debut (when slowly away). She looks a filly who should be gradually improving for Willie McCreery. Provided the drop back to a mile (from 10 and a half furlongs) doesn’t count against her, expect her to be bang there with the stiff finish to help.
North Africa finished a length and a half in front of the selection last time at Cork but she had the advantage of an extra run over the once-raced Liltia then. Coming back in trip is another query for her too, though she does have an obvious chance. Touch The Sound improved nicely from her debut last time when second at Leopardstown and holds decent claims, while Golden Ocean and Final Curtain add depth to the contest.
SELECTION: LILTIA
Next best: North Africa
5.10 Gormanlough Handicap
1m 2f
Connections have been patient with Reclaim and he hinted that he could be about to reward that time when catching the eye in fourth at Leopardstown last time. He ran on well from off the pace in a race where the winner was always close to the pace and that was only the Johnny Feane-trained selection’s second handicap start. He’s entitled to be improving for the experience, albeit a poor draw in stall 20 isn’t ideal.
This is wide open and Comfort Line, having got back on winning tracks two starts ago at Dundalk, needs considering off just 1lb higher here. He couldn’t get into it from behind at Bellewstown last time but has won on one of only two starts at Navan in his career. Harseva is an unexposed type who is worth a market check for Colin and Ger Keane.
SELECTION: RECLAIM
Next best: Comfort Line
5.40 Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden 1m 2f
Being drawn in stall 17 of 17 runners isn’t what you’d have ideally drawn up for Get, but she’s probably still worth a tentative nod on the basis of the promise she showed on her first start since October at Cork last time. A well-bred Galileo filly whose maiden form at two has been working out particularly well, she showed definite potential when fourth on her comeback and has an obvious angle for improvement on this second start after a break.
Naturally Nimble has been expensive to follow, winless across his first six starts and beaten at 6/5, 6/4, 7/4, 15/8 and 3/1. That said, he’s clearly got ability (rated 83) and wasn’t beaten far in a highly competitive Galway Festival handicap last time. Mick Collins and Tiding are shortlist material.
SELECTION: GET
Next best: Naturally Nimble