Testing ground no problem for Shadow
The ground is certain to ride very testing and that will hold no fears for Dot Love’s six-year-old.
The daughter of Beneficial won a bumper in testing conditions at Down Royal in March and then produced a career-best effort in a winners’ race next time.
In a valuable contest of its type at the Curragh in early April, again on heavy ground, she finished six lengths runner-up behind Willie Mullins’ smart Samain.
Shadow Eile reappeared over flights at Galway last month and was the medium of some decent wagers, 4-1 to 5-2.
Shay Barry’ mount made no mistake, cruising clear in the straight to score by five lengths. It was a modest contest — favourite Worldly Wise fell two out — but was nevertheless a solid start and the selection is fancied to build on that.
Willie McCreery has his team in good order and may have the answer to the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden with Legal Peace.
She’s clearly no star and chances are is not the best horse in the contest. But Legal Peace handled soft ground when beaten a neck by Blue Mimosa at Sligo and that sways one towards her.
Eagle’s Pass gets the nod to defy top weight in the John F McGuire Novice Chase. Successful three times over fences already this season, he produced a decent effort on his latest appearance when beating Holly Tree (rec. 18lbs) in a handicap at Galway.
Ken Condon’s French Quebec gets a hopeful nod in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Premier Nursery.
French Quebec’s defeat of Madhmoonah at Killarney was boosted when the latter won at the Curragh on Saturday.
He would surely have more to do if the handicapper had that to go on, but the problem now is whether the selection will go on the surface?
