Mara can make it third time lucky
He was the medium of rave reports, prior to his debut in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh, but performed deplorably to finish twelve and a half lengths fourth of four behind Dunboyne Express.
His trainer Jim Bolger, however, then made the bold move of asking him to contest the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, back at the Curragh, and this time the real Glor Na Mara came to the races.
He was mugged close home and beaten half a length by Zoffany with Richard Hannon’s highly-regarded Royal Ascot Coventry Stakes winner, Strong Suit, a short head behind in third.
That is just about the best juvenile form around, but the selection now faces a very dangerous opponent in Jessica Harrington’s Pathfork.
He created a huge impression when cruising to a four lengths defeat of subsequent winner, Robin Hood, at the Curragh, but Glor Na Mara may well be a real star of the future and is preferred.
David Wachman’s Meow is difficult to oppose in the Listed Grangecon Stud Stakes, although having an absence of 66 days to overcome.
She did, though, seem a particularly smart sort in the making at Royal Ascot when a neck second to Maqaasid in the Queen Mary Stakes.
John Oxx’s Roses For The Lady is the choice in the other Listed event, the Ballycullen Stakes.
A smart sort when on song, some rain would more than enhance her prospects. In any case, she was returning from a break when third to Tactic and Profound Beauty in the Curragh Cup in late June and is entitled to come on plenty for the outing.
The nap vote falls on Dermot Weld’s once-raced Phrase in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
She made a good start when beaten by fellow first-timer, David Marnane’s Syann, at Gowran Park and this looks a good opportunity.
At Cork tomorrow row in with Jim Bolger’s Deire Na Sli in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
The daughter of Aussie Rules finished a solid fifth to Seeharn at the Curragh and this contest is all about quantity over quality.
Dermot Weld’s Enchanted Evening gets the nod in the Fermoy Race over ten furlongs.
The daughter of High Chaparral hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth to Shamwari Lodge in a Group 3 at the Curragh in May and this represents a drop in class.
