Rose can finally bloom
They team up with Rose Bonheur in the Racing at Tipperary Maiden and she is the nap selection to leave a serious bout of seconditis behind.
There is no real evidence, however, that the daughter of Danehill Dancer is less than genuine and she been beaten by some smart horses along the way.
Her latest defeat came behind Aidan O’Brien Sing Softly at the Curragh, going under by two lengths.
The form has been working out nicely. Sing Softly went on to win a Listed event at the Curragh and was then runner-up to Barefoot Lady in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.
Three winners have since emerged from the Curragh contest won by Sing Softly. They are Anderiego (third), Maarek (seventh) and Lechevalier Choisi (tenth.)
Fast ground and five furlongs may not play exactly to Rose Bonheur’s strengths, but this does nevertheless represent a good opportunity.
Prendergast and McDonogh can take the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden for two-year-olds with once-raced Pinkisthecolour, who made a promising debut at the Curragh when third behind Tough As Nails, subsequently disqualified, but an easy winner since on this track, and Whip Rule.
Aidan O’Brien’s Wonder Of Wonders will surely be an odds-on shot in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden for three-year-olds.
She was a heavily-backed favourite on her seasonal debut at Leopardstown, but found all of the trouble that was going in the straight and could only finish seventh to Mesariya.
Opposing her now may prove the height of folly, but perhaps the Prendergast/McDonogh duo could turn her over with Emotional Dream.
She finished to some effect over ten furlongs at Leopardstown, four lengths second behind another Ballydoyle inmate, Quest For Peace, and should be well suited by this mile and a half.
The Enjoy An Evening At Tipperary Races Maiden has a fascinating appearance and much interest will centre on Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer, Sam Lord’s Castle. He cost 550,000 guineas as a yearling, is by Galileo and a half-brother to Damson, who was a top-class juvenile.
The market will be all important as far as he is concerned, but from this range the nod falls on Dermot Weld’s Cannon Hill, who chased home the Group 1 winner Casamento at Tipperary in August.
