Nasafar holds the whip hand in maiden
The son of Cape Cross was a morning price gamble then and was also heavily supported on course, from 6-4 to evens.
He came with every chance in the straight, but over a furlong down Michael Kinane lost his whip.
Nasafar, clearly a lazy individual, was crying out for a crack or two in the closing stages and eventually went under by a length to Cougar Bay.
Kinane will obviously be more than anxious to redress the balance and the form was subsequently boosted when Cougar Bay finished second to Heliostatic in a Listed event at the Curragh.
Con Collins’ King Of Swords should be hard to beat in the County Allstars Maiden.
The son of Desert Prince is down in class, running a cracker when beaten three lengths by the smart Drayton at the Curragh.
Aidan O’Brien’s Albertinelli cannot realistically be opposed in the Athlumney Race, having made a favourable impression when scoring on his debut at the Curragh.
At Limerick tonight, Silent Jo looks set to complete a hat-trick in the Roadbridge Summer Hurdle. He took his maiden at Punchestown and then followed with a smooth effort to beat the moderate Bernabeu at Tipperary.
Willie Mullins has a strong hand in the Ryans’ Event Cleaners Race with Navajo Chieftan and Diego Garcia.
Preference is for Navajo Chieftan, who may have been in need of the outing when fourth to Kinger Rocks at Listowel.
At Cork tomorrow, John Oxx has two prime candidates for the Group Three Kerry Group EBF Noblesse Stakes in Perfect Hedge and Allexina.
The fact Kinane rides Perfect Hedge sways one towards the ex-French filly, who made a winning debut in this country at Leopardstown in April.
Oxx can also land the Golden Olive Maiden with Aracena, who performed with distinct promise when third behind Albertinelli and Silent Confession first time up at the Curragh.
David Wachman’s once-raced He’s A Decoy is nap material in the Kerry Spring Water Rochestown Stakes.
The In The Wings colt ran as green as grass, before getting up close home to score by a short head at Leopardstown, and will surely come on a bundle for the experience.
