Alabama was well touted before the Flat season began and can make his mark now in the Listed event at Tipperary on Wednesday.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never came in for special mention in a stable tour in March but was beaten favourite on his debut at Cork in testing conditions.
He went to post an odds-on shot to atone on his next outing at the Curragh but didn’t appear to see out the six furlongs then having travelled strongly throughout.
O’Brien still had him on the Royal Ascot team, though, and he ran a big race in the Windsor Castle Stakes when fifth to Big Evs.
He was left on his own on the far rail then with all the action coming down the near side. It was a good effort in the circumstances to finish fifth as six of the first seven were in the group across from him.
First time blinkers may have made a difference then and he has the headgear on again today.
This looks a slightly easier task and Ryan Moore takes the mount now.
His main danger would appear to be the filly Gunzburg who turns out again quickly enough after a big run to chase home Matrika in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.
The Sioux Nation filly had won over the sharp five at Down Royal previously.
She may have benefited from staying in the stand-side group at the Curragh the other day but it was still a big run in Group Two company and she has to be respected.
The opening three-year-old conditions event over the five-furlong trip is another decent heat and Lady Tilbury bids to get back to winning ways after some good runs in stakes company.
David Marnane’s charge ran a solid race at the Curragh on Sunday when fifth to Commanche Falls in the Listed Dash Stakes.
She had also been third in Listed company on her previous two outings and this looks a nice opportunity now to gain a deserved success. The fact that she has won over course and distance is a plus.
There is also an interesting two-year-old conditions race over seven-and-a-half furlongs on the card.
Spanish Flame gets the vote after an impressive win at Roscommon last time. He only has to carry a half penalty for that success so concedes just 2lb to the maidens in the field.
SELECTIONNEXT BEST
4.35: Lady Tilbury (Dbl) Catherine Of Siena
5.05: Alabama (Nap) Gunzburg
5.40: Mymomentintime Hypernova
6.10: Spanish Flame Portland
6.40: Sibyl Charm Cnodian
7.10: Fratas Miss Yvonne
7.45: Katonah No Hassle
8.20: French Company Pale Moonlight
