English raider Divine Jewel looks to have found a nice opportunity to pick up a Group Three prize in the Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.
The fact that the Frankel filly has placed form at stakes level over this kind of trip looks a big plus in a race where she faces a lot of three-year-olds who are unproven at the distance.
Roger Varian’s charge was a solid third on her comeback run at York last month, over just slightly shorter.
She got into a bit of trouble in running then but didn’t look like making an impression on the front pair in the listed Grand Cup Stakes.
The two geldings in front of her then were rated 112 and 111, though, and this is an easier task now for the four-year-old.
She does have to give a stone away to her younger rivals but on the form book she looks capable of doing that.
Aidan O’Brien saddles four in the race and has had to cast his net a bit wider for jockeys with Seamie Heffernan suspended and Wayne Lordan still on the sidelines.
Library may prove the pick of his quarter with Dylan Browne McMonagle taking the mount.
The Galileo filly did well to win the Naas Oaks Trial last time over 10 furlongs and could come into her own now over this kind of trip.
Red Riding Hood has the same mark as the selection, on 102, but has been outclassed in good company on her last couple of runs and has a bit to prove.
The preceding ‘Nasrullah’ Handicap is the most valuable event on the card, worth €100,000, and Alanya gets the vote in the nine-furlong contest.
The French-import won with plenty in hand on her Irish debut at the Curragh 12 days ago and an 8lb rise for that victory looks lenient.
She swooped to lead a furlong from home in the Ladies Derby and quickened away impressively to score by four-and-three-quarter lengths.
She had a 7lb claimer on board that day, which obviously helped, but it looked like she was a bit of a handicap blot then and the four-year-old is fancied to strike again before the handicapper gets to grips with her.
In the opening fillies’ maiden the card Navassa Island has her sights lowered and can get off the mark.
She was an eye-catcher on debut when running on strongly to press Porta Fortuna close home at Naas.
The Territories filly didn’t run up to that form in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot but should prove hard to beat now back in a maiden.
SELECTIONNEXT BEST
5.15: Navassa Island Bellezza
5.45: Saturn Seven Artemis Jones
6.15: Coins Cross Helpmeout
6.50: Rockbury Lad Feature This
7.25: Alanya (Dbl) Good Too
8.00: Divine Jewel (Nap) Library
8.30: Tax For Max Jesse Evans
