Pictavia to get better of Saoire
It would be appropriate should she gain a first pattern success this weekend, given that Pictavia’s sire, Sinndar, is a previous Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe winner.
The selection ran a cracking race in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at headquarters last month, finishing three parts of a length second behind Chelsea Rose.
That was a most pleasing performance, considering Pictava was returning from a break of some three months. She has to be fancied to confirm the form with Saoire, a place and three parts of a length adrift of her in the Moyglare.
John Oxx’s Dafarabad can get off the mark in the O’Dohertys’ Audio Visual Productions EBF Maiden.
He showed little on his debut, but stepped up substantially next time when third to shock winner Night Prayers and Aidan O’Brien’s well-regarded Albert Hall at the Curragh. Favourably drawn and going up a furlong in trip are two factors very much in his favour now.
Ballydoyle’s Mingun is easily the most interesting candidate in the Listed Stanleybet Diamond Stakes. Clearly, he has had his problems and is making a belated seasonal debut.
Unraced as a two-year-old, Mingun was unbeaten in three races last season, before moving way up in class to finish a creditable fourth to Falbrav in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Hopefully, the market will speak in his favour and hed gets the nod.
On an excellent mixed programme at Tipperary tomorrow, the Frances Crowley trained Kay Two can get us away to a flier in the Danehill Dancer Stakes.
On this track in August, he made light of heavy ground to give the smart Coseadrom 10lbs and a short head beating.
Afterwards, Crowley indicated this would be the horse’s next target and it is always encouraging when such plans are adhered to.
Solerina, despite the fact she will always be vulnerable at two miles, has to get the vote in the featured John James McManus Memorial Hurdle.
She is certain to make this a true test from the start and if conditions are as testing as they can often be on this course then this superb mare can lead them all a merry dance!
Orchid Bay, who looked much improved at Listowel, is the one to be on in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Joe Mac Novice Hurdle.
She jumped and travelled beautifully, revelling in the surface to win a maiden hurdle by an unflattering ten lengths.
Sweet Kiln, a stablemate of Solerina, should carry far too many guns for her rivals in the Mucklemeg Bumper.
