There might be some early Classic clues at Leopardstown on Sunday afternoon and the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ Stakes could be a particularly informative contest.
Paddy Twomey has emerged as a real top class operator in the last couple of years and he saddles the exciting A Lilac Rolla in the Group Three event.
The daughter of Harry Angel was unbeaten in two starts last season and the form of the second of those reads really well.
She edged out Opera Singer by a head then in a tight finish and the runner-up went on to win twice subsequently, both very impressive victories in stakes company.
On her final start the daughter of Justify posted an easy victory in Group One company at Longchamp on Arc de Triomphe day and was rated as the best juvenile filly at the end of 2023.
Undoubtedly Opera Singer improved with racing but A Lilac Rolla is also unexposed after just two runs last season and should progress again this term.
This ground is a bit of an unknown for her but her sire was impressive in heavy ground when winning the Sprint Cup a few years ago and her siblings have been versatile enough.
It’s a very deep race and Kitty Rose could be the danger in the seven-furlong contest.
She also won her first two starts before finishing runner-up in Group Three company at the Curragh on her final outing.
The big Invincible Army filly was always just doing a bit too much in front and is capable of better.
Aidan O’Brien runs four in the race with Ryan Moore getting the leg up on Buttons. The Kingman filly won her sole start last season at Leopardstown, getting home in a tight finish.
She had stablemate Content back in third that day and that filly went on to beat Kitty Rose in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes so the form is solid.
Given that she’s out of Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders, a bit further may well suit her over time.
Alpheratz, narrowly beaten in the Park Express Stakes at the Curragh on the opening day, is another that has to be on the shortlist but A Lilac Rolla is fancied to step up and prove another potential star for Twomey.
O’Brien saddles three in the preceding ‘Red Rocks’ Stakes and Moore opts to get the leg up on Battle Cry.
His best form is on a decent surface though and he was last seen finishing second in Listed company at Dundalk.
It may pay to take a chance on stablemate Samuel Colt in this, as he was impressive when winning his maiden in heavy ground at the Curragh in late October.
Ballydoyle have three of the five colts in the Ballysax Stakes and Illinois can add his name to an illustrious roll of honour.
The Galileo colt ran a big race in Group One company at Saint-Cloud on his second outing last season and looks like the type to take a step forward this season over middle distances.
SELECTIONS
1.15 Autumn Winter
1.45 Harbour Gem
2.20 Samuel Colt
2.55 A Lilac Rolla (Nap)
3.30 Illinois (Dbl)
4.05 Chantilly
4.40 Perfect Poise
5.12 See Me Through
