Famous looks a banker in opener
Aidan O’Brien’s Danehill Dancer filly is highly-regarded and, after two solid runs at the Curragh, she should prove very tough to beat in this first attempt at seven furlongs.
Well-touted ahead of her debut and sent off favourite, she was no match for all-the-way winner Intapeace, which won impressively by seven lengths.
Stepped up to listed company next time, Famous readily turned the tables on her debut conqueror when finishing third to Lang Lashes in the Ballygallon Stud Stakes, arguably one of the best races for juvenile fillies run in Ireland this season.
Reverting to maiden company tonight, stepping-up in trip and drawn in the inside stall, the Ballydoyle filly sets a high standard and is a confident nap choice to triumph for Johnny Murtagh.
The former champion will also be on board the Ger Lyons-trained Leandros with obvious prospects in the six-furlong Clonkeen Race. After a stint in Dubai, Leandros returned to winning form last time, when beating Three Rocks and front-runner Empirical Power in a seven-furlong conditions event at Naas.
Almost a length and a half separated Leandros and Empirical Power on that occasion and Murtagh’s mount is 4lb. better off with his rival today.
On that basis, Leandros should confirm his superiority, although the drop back to six furlongs is a slight concern.
The outcome of the concluding Avoca Maiden should revolve around the quartet of three-year-olds in the field, a group which includes Ballydoyle newcomer Tinseltown, which will wear blinkers.
Michael Grassick’s Boulay, a staying third to Dixie Music in a fast-run, ten-furlong maiden on this track back in May, has solid claims.
But preference is for the John Oxx-trained Noble Galileo, unlucky in running but a strong finishing third to Blackwitch Woman on her recent debut at Gowran Park.
With that experience under her belt, this daughter of Galileo, stepping up in trip, should prove difficult to beat.
