Foot Soldier on the march
The Danehill Dancer colt ran a race full of promise when fourth behind Reply on his debut, before being caught by the fast-finishing Rubina on his next outing.
Both races received a boost at the Curragh on Sunday when Reply ran a fine race to finish fifth behind La Collina in the Phoenix Stakes, and Rubina finished a respectable fourth behind Maybe in the Debutante Stakes.
The step up to seven furlongs should suit Foot Soldier and he can confirm debut form with Fastidious.
The last named never really got going at any stage of that race, for which he was sent off favourite. He was tenderly handled when it became obvious he would not have an impact on the outcome and finished one place and almost five lengths behind Foot Soldier. Clearly, he’s thought capable of better and would be very interesting if the money arrived.
Jessica Harrington’s Steps To Freedom looks the one to beat in the McEnery Cup Handicap.
The Aintree bumper winner won his flat maiden at the first time of asking and put up a really good display when just failing to reel-in the progressive Flowers Of Spring at Fairyhouse most recently.
On that occasion, he missed the start but made up eye-catching ground in the closing stages. The step up in trip is very much in his favour and he should have too much stamina for the potentially useful Cnocandancer.
The latter was also second behind Flowers Of Spring on her most recent start but the winner won easily.
Her style of racing suggests she may get the distance but it’s not entirely certain and she’ll need to be fully wound up to trouble Steps To Freedom.
In the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes, Kissable should come out on top if able to show a similar level of form as when third behind Misty For Me in last year’s Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
She hasn’t been seen since then and is also stepping up in trip for today’s race, but she shapes like this could be her ideal distance and she can stamp her class on proceedings.
