The fillies’ handicap is the feature contest on a tricky looking card at Gowran Park on Wednesday and All Lies Ahead gets the vote in the €26,000 contest.
Willie McCreery’s charge has the benefit of a run under her belt this season and handles testing conditions so looks to have an edge on her rivals early in the season.
Her comeback run at Cork late last month came in a six-furlong Listed contest and she emerged with plenty of credit when fifth to Easy.
The handicapper stuck her up 3lb after that performance as she looked to run a good bit above her rating. She still looks on a competitive mark though back in handicap company.
That stakes form looks strong as the runner-up Yosemite Valley struck in another Listed contest at the Curragh on Sunday.
All Lies Ahead has won over this seven furlong trip and a mile in the past so stepping back up in distance shouldn’t be a problem and she appears to tick a lot of boxes.
Gypsy Woman finished off last year in good form, winning a similar fillies handicap down in Cork in August.
This ground would be a worry for the Cotai Glory filly though as she has run poorly on soft going in the past.
Expressova could be a bigger danger on her first outing for Joseph O’Brien. The Exceed And Excel filly won in testing conditions at Cork last year and has Wayne Hassett taking a useful 7lb off her back on her return to action.
O’Brien can strike in the following fillies’ maiden with Dollerina.
The Territories filly was turned over at a short price in Dundalk 12 days ago but should step forward from that initial outing.
She ran well in stakes company last season, including when third in a Group Three in Deauville, and has a lofty rating of 99.
Obviously she didn’t reach that level when fourth last time but going back on to an easier surface on turf may suit now.
Sea The Polaris is another coming here today having run in a Dundalk maiden on his return to action and he looks the one to beat in the opening seven-furlong maiden.
Paddy Twomey’s charge ran freely when third to Agenda in a strong enough heat for the all-weather and it’s no surprise to see him dropping back in trip now.
SELECTIONS
4.00 Sea The Polaris
4.35 Special Angel
5.05 Manhattan Dandy
5.40 All Lies Ahead (Nap)
6.15 Dollerina (Dbl)
6.50 Emerald Eclipse
7.25 Chopsticks
