SHAMROCK: After three winners at Leopardstown last Saturday we return to the Dublin track for another quality eight-race card on the flat.
The action begins with an interesting 7f fillies’ maiden (1:25pm) where plenty of the top yards are represented. Aidan O’Brien’s High Chieftess is bound to improve from her debut last month, but the one to side with could be Joseph Murphy’s Pink Sorrel. This daughter of Zoffany caught the eye when a close third on debut over this trip at Punchestown in September and the two rivals that finished ahead of her have gone on to win and place in Group 3 company since.
Another maiden follows at 2:00pm, again over 7f. Livio Milo created a good impression when finishing fifth on debut at the Curragh in August. He looks to have been given time by Dermot Weld and is likely to build on that performance here. On pedigree, soft ground conditions should hold no fears and this son of Lope De Vega is a tentative selection.
Only seven stand their ground for the fillies’ nursery handicap (2:35pm) over 7f. While she is likely to be a way down the market, it could be worth taking a chance on Michael Halford’s Nyota. She didn’t quite look to get home on soft ground over a mile at Listowel most recently and should be suited to this drop back in trip. The second from that race has since come out and won, giving the form a boost. An opening handicap mark of 69 might just underestimate her, especially with apprentice Jamie Powell taking off a handy seven pounds.
Next up is the Listed Knockaire Stakes (3:10pm) over a mile. Ger Lyons has won two of the last three renewals of this contest and runs another interesting contender here in the form of Lust. This four-year-old looked progressive earlier in the season when winning a Listed race in May, but hasn’t been seen since. While his absence is a slight concern, he has won when fresh in the past and should relish this soft ground. Colin Keane seemingly prefers stablemate Power Under Me but Lust might provide more each way value.
The proceeding mile handicap (3:45pm) looks a difficult puzzle to solve. Quizical would have finished closer if getting more racing room last time out at Tipperary over 1m1f. Sheila Lavery’s seven-year-old is without a win in three years, but continues to drop in the weights and will be suited by these conditions, so gets the vote each way.
The Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes (4:20pm) looks a tight heat, with all of the seven runners holding something of a chance. Hippodrome still looked green after hitting the front when winning over this trip at the Curragh recently. He probably beat a good rival there too, so with improvement likely, he ranks the pick.
Tony Martin’s Tudor City returns to the scene of his 2021 success in the 4:55pm handicap over 1m2f. While he lines up this year off a three-pound higher mark, rider Jake Cohen takes off five pounds, and after one run over hurdles in September, he looks to have been primed for another big run.
A charity race (5:30pm) over 1m2f concludes the card. Enki Flacke has been in good form over hurdles for Gordon Elliott, winning three times at Perth during the summer. This ground and discipline will present a totally different challenge for the son of Buck’s Boum, but he looks capable of going well under former jockey, turned breeder Peter O’Reilly.
