MOON De Vega made a nice start for Paddy Twomey recently and can step up into Listed company at Leopardstown this evening.
The daughter of Lope De Vega had shown some nice form in stakes company in England before joining the Tipperary handler this season and struck first time for the yard in a decent little conditions race at Gowran.
She travelled particularly well that day before putting the race to bed in good style, recording a three-and-three-quarter length win over a nice sort in Mashia.
The four-year-old had been fourth in Listed and Group Three company last season and wasn't disgraced when eighth in the Oaks.
Twomey has a great record of extracting a bit more from these types of horses, particularly fillies, and can land a valuable black-type race with her now.
There are a couple rated slightly above her in the race but the fact that she has a recent win under her belt looks a big plus.
The Ballydoyle horse, Salt Lake City, has questions to answer on his return to action.
He had a mixed campaign at two with a promising debut followed by a poor run over in York then an impressive maiden win at Navan.
His campaign ended with a tame enough effort in the Vertem Futurity, won by Auguste Rodin, but that did come in very testing conditions.
He's obviously a talented colt but will need to be primed for his return against some solid older fillies.
Kerkiyra is the other obvious one for the shortlist, with a rating of 101.
Johnny Murtagh's charge was progressive in handicap company last year and ran well when third to Insinuendo on her return in Group Three company at the Curragh.
She is very consistent and seems versatile ground-wise.
In the other Listed race on the card it may pay to wide with the Ballydoyle colt Tower Of London.
He was a fair enough sixth on his return in the Derby Trial here last month and this looks a weaker race now.
Better going now may suit the Galileo colt, who won his maiden on nice ground here last July.
As a full-brother to Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri he should appreciate stepping up in trip now to a mile-and-a-half.
Aidan O'Brien is getting plenty of two-year-olds out at the moment and runs three beautifully-bred newcomers in the opening fillies' maiden.
Ryan Moore takes the mount on Buttons and the Kingman filly could be the one to side with.
She is out of Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders and is a half-sister to listed winner So Wonderful.
5.30 Buttons - Shardam
6.00 Thefullbackline - Chavajod
6.30 Moon De Vega (nap) - Salt Lake City
7.00 Coeur D'or - Independent Expert
7.30 Tower Of London (dbl) - New Variant
8.00 Theophilos - Hazy Mehmory
8.30 Drop The Dip - Summer Snow
