Fine opportunity for Ingres to get off mark
This will only be the colt’s third run and he performed with plenty of promise on his reappearance on this track last month. Almost friendless in the market, Aidan O’Brien’s charge went off an easy to back 4-1 shot, Ingres only gave best in the closing stages to finish a head and three parts of a length third behind Indian Belle and Icklingham. The form was boosted when Icklingham ran out a clear-cut winner at the Curragh next time and this looks a suitable opportunity for Ingres.
Michael Kinane partners Ingres and he and O’Brien can team-up to land the Stand House Hotel two-year-old Maiden with Ace, who is by Danehill.
Irish Stream, who has been a revelation in his last two runs, can complete a hat-trick in the Silken Thomas Handicap. He scored, under Kinane, by a snug three parts of a length from subsequent winner, Windsor Dancer, at Naas, and went up 8lbs for that. But he and Kinane made light of the extra at Leopardstown on Wednesday night, when the five-year-old beat Carlesimo by two lengths. It was no indication of his superiority and he now races under a mandatory 5lbs penalty.
Kinane doesn’t take the ride on this occasion, but Dessie Hughes has found an able replacement in claimer, David Condon. As long as the surface remains on the good side, Irish Stream can go in again.
The very valuable Goffs Challenge may stay at home, with Kevin Prendergast’s Blue Banner getting the nod. She started over an inadequate five furlongs at Cork in March, flying home late to beat Devil Moon, successful at Tipperary afterwards, by two lengths. Blue Banner has reportedly thrived in the meantime and can run a big race.
