After will be suited by longer trip
The Ballydoyle filly has triumphed only once, landing a Curragh maiden 13 months ago, but she has competed creditably in stakes company for most of her career and will hardly get a better opportunity than this to register a group-race success.
A daughter of Danehill Dancer, After contested both the French and Irish 1,000 Guineas in May, finishing a close fourth behind odds-on favourite Beauty Parlour in the Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches at Longchamp before being beaten seven lengths when fifth to Samitar in the Irish equivalent.
Dropped back to six furlongs last time, Aidan O’Brien’s charge was runner-up to Fire Lily in the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown, more rock-solid form in the context of today’s six-runner contest.
Rated 107 and likely to be helped by a return to seven furlongs, After is difficult to oppose, although her rider Joseph O’Brien is likely to put up some overweight.
Older rival Marvada, narrowly beaten by Falmouth Stakes contender Alanza at Leropardstown last time, is likely to give the selection most to do.
Other Ballydoyle representatives worth noting today are recent Curragh maiden winner Warwick Avenue, which makes plenty of appeal in the Follow Fairyhouse On Facebook Rated Race, and the Galileo colt Buckingham Gate, which should appreciate the step-up to a mile and a half in the Racing Again on Sunday Maiden following his recent second to While You Wait in Down Royal.
Roscommon stages a jumps card this evening and the Willie Mullins-trained mare Letherbelucky, which lost her unbeaten record at Down Royal last time, will be fancied to regain the winning thread in the Oran Novice Hurdle.
Winner of a Wexford bumper and a maiden hurdle at Punchestown, she was struggling three from home before chasing home Top Madam last time, when apparently crying out for a step-up in trip.
Today, the Luso mare should relish the two and a half mile trip and, although competing outside mares company for the first time, has outstanding claims.
If the market speaks in favour of the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Connaught Manor in an apparently weak-looking bumper, the roscommonracecourse.ie Flat Race, the hint should be taken.
And Tepalo, winner of a French bumper and runner-up on his hurdling bow in Perth before joining Tony Martin, appeals in the opening Athleague Maiden Hurdle.
