Fleur De Provence could prove a tough nut to crack after step up in trip

The Noel Meade-trained Bang Bang, who didn’t get a clear run when a distant second at Leopardstown on her seasonal reappearance in April, looks the biggest threat to the selection.

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026 - 06:37

Darren Norris

Having found one too good in her two career starts, Fleur De Provence can make it third time lucky when she contests the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown on Thursday night.

Unraced at two, the Dermot Weld-trained Gleneagles filly made her debut over a mile at Naas in March, performing above market expectations when second to Drop Dead Gorgeous at odds of 16-1.

Second time out, again over a mile, at Gowran Park she stayed on strongly after being headed to go down by just a short head to Sanctijude.

In doing so, Fleur De Provence gave the impression she might be better for a step up in trip so going two furlongs here ought to suit.

Should that prove the case, she should prove a tough nut to crack.

The Noel Meade-trained Bang Bang, who didn’t get a clear run when a distant second at Leopardstown on her seasonal reappearance in April, looks the biggest threat to the selection.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, the race that kicks off proceedings, has been won by Ballydoyle-trained horses in each of the last three seasons, a run of domination that looks likely to continue this year.

Aidan O’Brien unleashes two newcomers this time and the fact Ryan Moore has opted to ride Frankel filly Ibelieveicanfly instead of Alpha, a daughter of Sea The Stars, tilts the balance in favour of the first-named horse.

Team Ballydoyle should also collect in the feature, the listed King George V Cup, where Endorsement is very hard to oppose.

Group 3 placed as a two-year-old, the Wootton Bassett colt made an encouraging start to his three-year-old campaign when second to stablemate Christmas Day in the Ballysax Stakes in April.

He then ran another fine race when a close third to Epsom contender James J Braddock in the Derby Trial Stakes last month.

Both of those races were over a mile and quarter but Endorsement ought to be at least as effective over a mile and a half. He may even be better for it.

The progressive Majestic King gets the vote in the BOYLE Sports Best Odds From 8am Handicap, the penultimate contest on the seven-race card.

Second at Gowran Park in April, the Denis Hogan-trained five-year-old went one place better on his return to the Kilkenny venue early last month.

He was back in action just three days later, again running well when second to Tero d’Rosa at Ballinrobe.

Improvement will have to be found if he is to get back to winning ways at Leopardstown but he may be able to find it.

Darren Norris' picks:

Leopardstown

5.30 Ibelieveicanfly (NB)

6.00 Dark Viper

6.30 Endorsement

7.00 Fleur De Provence (Nap)

7.30 How'sthebai

8.00 Majestic King