Side with Sinkal
Dermot Weld’s charge, a son of Smart Strike, created a favourable impression when proving an impressive winner of a ten-furlong Curragh maiden back in April.
Highly-regarded by his trainer, Sinkal should be capable of making an impression in stakes company. Although the decision to put blinkers on him for this test is a slight concern, he should, reward Pat Smullen’s dahs back from riding Tarfsha in the Investec Oaks in Epsom.
John Constable, winner of Navan maiden before being foiled in a Curragh handicap two weeks ago, is rated 94 and looks the chief threat. But Sinkal is a confident choice.
The earlier Seamus and Rosemary McGrath Memorial Savel Beg Stakes looks a trappy affair, with Aidan O’Brien running Eye Of The Storm and Venus De Milo, both making their seasonal debuts, against Mick Winters’ classy and versatile mare Missunited.
Eye Of The Storm, a dual winner at listed level, ended his three-year-old campaign with a close third to Royal Diamalond in a Group 2 at Ascot and, if close to full fitness, might be capable of making a successful season debut and booking his ticket to Royal Ascot.
Despite the presence of 98-rated Dolce N Karama, the John Oxx-trained Ponfeigh, a close third to Investec Derby contender Ebanoran in his only two-year-old start, appeals in the one-mile maiden.
Meanwhile, at Downpatrick, Noel Meade’s Crofton Trail third in a hot mares event at Punchestown before failing to cope with sssGone Platinum at Kilbeggan, should open her account in the bumper.
