Green light for Purple
She is by Galileo out of Necklace, who won the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, but the selection is unlikely to ever live up to her pedigree. That said, however, Purple did perform with distinct promise last time and a little contest such as this does look within her compass.
On this track last month she was beaten a neck and a length into third spot behind Kashmir Peak and Lord Jim and meets the runner-up on exactly the same terms.
What sways one towards Purple, though, is that she met all the trouble that was going up the straight. When finally extricated by Joseph O’Brien it was all too late, but Purple did finish with a flourish and can do the business.
Dermot Weld’s Swerve can provide the answer to the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Race. At Listowel six days ago the daughter of Oasis Dream hinted that her turn might not be long delayed.
She made practically all of the running and it was only in the final stride that Swerve gave best to the three years older and 7lbs receiving Rock On Ciara.
The Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden houses a moderate bunch and the best of them may be Balrath Hope, who was three lengths second behind Imaginationrunwild at Down Royal on her seasonal debut.
Feature at the Curragh tomorrow is the Listed Coolmore China Ire.Friendship Silver Stakes, over ten furlongs, which looks a match between Sharestan and Learn.
Sharestan is a classy sort, but on both occasions has tackled this trip shaped like a non-stayer. His latest attempt was in the controversial Group 3 Moorebridge Stakes at the Curragh when only third behind shock winner, Windsor Palace, and St Nicholas Abbey.
Preference then is for Learn, although it is a worry that this is his first run of the campaign. A smart juvenile, who never went beyond a mile, he is bred to stay much further, and, hopefully, the market will speak in his favour.
The progressive Jim Bolger-trained Leitir Mor can land the nap in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden for two-year-olds.
He has twice finished second at the Curragh to Ballydoyle inmates, Infanta Branca and Lines Of Battle, and should now be ready to strike.
