Declaree

(Johnny Murtagh)

Dundalk, April 5th

The future looks bright for Newtown Anner Stud’s Declaree, who made a highly encouraging debut when third in a Dundalk fillies’ maiden over an extended mile and a quarter last week. Easy to back at 28/1, the Fastnet Rock three-year-old was one of three who came to the fore at the business end and quickened up better than anything else in the race in the second last furlong. However, she wasn’t helped by the winner (who had two previous runs last season) rolling left towards the Ballydoyle-trained runner-up (sent off 8/13 favourite), who in turn leaned into Declaree’s path. She couldn’t keep tabs in the final furlong but still managed to pull six lengths clear of the fourth. Johnny Murtagh’s filly was the only runner in the race to string together three consecutive sub-12 second furlongs, so she does have pace. Expect her to be good enough to win a maiden at least. (MB)

Total Look

(Gavin Cromwell)

Leopardstown, April 7th

It will be interesting to see how the handicapper assesses Gavin Cromwell’s Total Look, who took a step in the right direction on his first start at three when fourth in the opening mile maiden at Leopardstown last Sunday. Ridden more positively than when appearing green and finishing down the field in two back-end maidens last season, the 150/1 shot seemed to have no trouble travelling well on the extremely testing ground and only gave way inside the final furlong and a half. To his credit, he didn’t fall in a hole once passed either and stayed boxing on for fourth. He looks up to winning races if able to build on this run into the rest of the spring, with the ground expected to still be to his liking for a while given how wet it’s been lately. He could be a fun horse for connections during the 2024 season. (MB)

Kitty Rose

(Natalia Lupini)

Leopardstown, April 7th

The market spoke positively for Kitty Rose ahead of the Group 3 Priory Belle Stakes and she justified that support with a huge run in the classic trial, only just seen off by the winner A Lilac Rolla late on. Seamie Heffernan sent this big filly forward early and always had her prominent. When the winner got to her in the straight, you were expecting her to give way but, to her real credit, she battled back and the impression she made was backed up by the closing sectionals, which told the story of a slow finish. That perhaps should have brought the prominently-ridden front two back to the field. This was only Kitty Rose’s fourth ever run and first of the season. She should improve plenty for this and her trainer thinks she will be a better filly on better ground as well. She deserves a second look if indeed they take their chance at Newmarket. (RG)

Riviera Queen

(Jessica Harrington)

Leopardstown, April 7th

There was eyecatching market support behind the Jessica Harrington-trained Riviera Queen in a fillies’ mile maiden at Leopardstown last Sunday, sent off at 11/2 after being available at 100/1 in the morning (and 12/1 in the ring). For much of the race it didn’t look nailed on that the Camelot filly would reward her each-way supporters, but she finished strongly to get up for third late on, clocking a final furlong that was 0.01 seconds off being the fastest in that key portion of the race. Ridden by a 7lb claimer, the €140,000 yearling purchase possibly got a little further back than ideal but this run ought to serve as a good education for another maiden assignment, passing rivals in the closing stages and hitting the line well. It’s possible she’ll take confidence from this. She’s bred to get further too as a daughter of listed two-mile novice hurdle winner Pakora. (MB)