Saajidah set to fulfil promise
This is the first time she has taken on just fillies, having been beaten in both her races thus far by Aidan O’Brien-trained colts.
At Gowran Park, the selection went under by a short head to Joshua Tree and was subsequently a strong order in the market at the Curragh.
On this occasion, however, there was never any real possibility of her delivering, at least not in the final furlong, as she was trounced to the tune of four lengths by the Ballydoyle newcomer, St Nicholas Abbey.
On the face of it that was a disappointing effort, but nothing could be further from the truth. Saajidah was noted staying on in fine style at the end of the mile trip and time may well reveal St Nicholas Abbey as a high-class talent.
Definitive Edge, trained by Willie Mullins, gets the nod in the Easyfix Rubber Products Novice Hurdle. Successful in a modest bumper at Ballinrobe, he indicated jumping and staying is his game with an easy win in a three mile maiden hurdle at Sligo last time.
Sublime Talent, beaten a head by Viceroy Of India at the Galway Festival, has the best recent form on offer in the Manlift Hire Maiden.
But just how courageous he will prove should it come down to a battle remains to be a seen and preference is for Aidan O’Brien’s Trojan War, even if he hasn’t been seen since performing with a lot of promise when third in a Leopardstown maiden way back in October.
At the Curragh tomorrow, O’Brien’s Lillie Langtry is a confident choice to land the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Her ability to handle the likely testing conditions has to be taken on trust, but, as a daughter of Danehill Dancer, there is every chance she will.
Lillie Langtry impressed with her attitude in a Group 2 at Leopardstown earlier in the month, finding loads in the closing stages to beat stable companion, Devoted To You, a comfortable length and three parts.
O’Brien can also provide the answer to the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes with Air Chief Marshal, who was back on track on his latest outing.
He had lost his way somewhat, but there was little wrong with his half a length second to Alfred Nobel in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Dermot Weld has placed his good horses to real effect through the campaign and seems to have found another suitable opportunity for Chinese White in the Dance Design Stakes.
Following a below-par effort at Naas, she returned in solid shape to beat Roman Empress in snug fashion in a Listed event at Gowran Park.
