Tornedo can maintain upward curve
Considering he won three bumpers, Thomond O’Mara’s charge was hugely disappointing over hurdles through the winter.
But just as one was about to lose faith in him, Tornedo Shay came back to something approaching his best at the Punchestown festival in early May in a conditions hurdle.
Going off a largely unfancied 16-1 shot, on good ground, he left much of what had gone before solidly behind him with a fine display.
Ridden on the pace by Philip Enright, the six-year-old was taken to the front a fair way from home to score with plenty in hand by four lengths over Son Of Amix, with several previous winners further back. Perhaps, that signalled that Tornado Shay was now more than ready to fulfil earlier promise and he is fancied to deliver again, especially should the market speak in his favour.
Aidan O’Brien’s once-raced Foot Soldier can land the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden over six furlongs.
He didn’t exactly set the world alight on his debut when fourth behind stable companion Reply at the Curragh, but can be expected to come on a bundle for the outing.
John Oxx’s Narjawa, making her seasonal debut, is the one to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden for fillies.
Her two outings last season came towards the end of the year, at Dundalk, when chasing home a pair of useful sorts in Imperial Rome and Empowering.
Feature event is the Listed Glencairn Stakes and the hopeful nod here falls on Aidan O’Brien’s Wild Wind, the highest rated in the contest.
She made no show in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh last time and that’s an obvious worry. But a repeat of the form which saw her finish a creditable third in the French equivalent at Longchamp, or her neck second to Banimpire at Gowran Park, will see Wild Wind safely home in front.
