Side with Stubbs
Only four are set to face the starter, but this has the makings of a decent contest and should prove most informative. The son of Danehill Dancer was beaten into third on his debut at the Curragh in March, before reappearing almost two months later at Navan in May.
He was altogether a different proposition on this occasion, overcoming an unfavourable draw to sweep clear in the closing stages to win his maiden by four and a quarter lengths.
Jim Bolger relies on the progressive Club Wexford, who was beaten into second by Stubbs’ smart stable companion, Coach House, at the Curragh last time.
Richard Hannon’s Sacha Park was second to William Haggas’ Saayerr at Salisbury and will certainly help to make it interesting.
Hannon is doubly represented in the Listed Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes, with riding arrangements indicating that the Salisbury winner, Fig Roll, is the number one.
But that contest hasn’t worked out particularly well and preference is for Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer, Bracelet. It may be significant that she is tossed in at the deep end on her debut, being by Montjeu and from the same family as Sea The Stars and Galileo.
Listowel houses a very difficult card for punters, but one who is fancied to deliver is Timmy Hyde’s Ashford Wood in the Dr Louis O’Carroll Bumper.
There was plenty to admire in the way he stuck to his task when beaten a length and a half into second by Willie Mullins’ Unic De Bersy at Tipperary and an extra two furlongs now should suit.
