THERE is classic trial action across Britain and Ireland this weekend, and one of the most open races of this type comes at Naas today in the Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Jannah Rose Stakes (4.15).
Just five go to post for the €65,000 contest, creating an excellent opportunity for more than half the field to earn blacktype.
Once-raced maiden winner Madam Celeste looks a bright prospect for Ger Lyons, Je Zous has already been placed in listed company at two for Joseph O’Brien, and Higher Leaves likely claimed a bit of a scalp when beating the well-touted Mother Nature in a maiden at Dundalk last month.
Flight Of Fancy has yet to get off the mark for Ballydoyle but hails from the sublime blacktype family of Johannes Vermeer, Wembley and Elizabeth Browning, while Jessica Harrington has solid claims with smart Tipperary maiden winner Sea The Boss.
The form of the latter’s fourth at last year’s Irish Champions Festival in the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes looks useful now.
The winner, Kitty Rose, is rock-solid performer at this level with Group 1 options and runner-up Content, fourth in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, also won in Group 3 company before the season was out.
This will be Sea The Boss’ first run since finishing down the field on her third start in just over a month, in the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “Sea The Boss has wintered very nicely. We feel she has developed and done really well.
“Overall we are very happy with her ahead of her first run at Naas and we are looking forward to a very exciting season ahead with her.”
Also on the classic trail this weekend in Ireland is the Paddy Twomey-trained One Look, who will be ridden by Shane Foley for the first time in tomorrow’s Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing “Mutamakina” Stakes (2.25) at Leopardstown.
Regular rider Billy Lee is at ParisLongchamp riding Willie McCreery’s Vespertilio in the French 1000 Guineas.