Brackan to reveal true colours
The five-year-old has plenty going for him. He is unpenalised, will be running over his ideal one-mile trip and will love the fast surface.
Brendan Brackan went off favourite for a Group 3 at Leopardstown in June, but could only manage a close third behind Wannabe Better and Eastern Rules.
But that was over seven furlongs and there was always more than a possibility he would be outpaced in the closing stages.
That was exactly what happened and there is every chance the selection will now reveal his true colours.
Feature event is the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Give Thanks Stakes and this shapes as a very tight-knit contest.
The vote falls on John Oxx’s Tarana, a creditable third over a mile and six last time behind Ernest Hemingway and Certerach in another Group 3 at the Curragh.
The trip may well have stretched the selection’s stamina to the limit and dropping back to a mile and half should work in her favour.
Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer, General Marshall, by War Front and a $1.15m purchase, is of obvious interest in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
The market will tell us just how well fancied he is, but from this range the nod falls on Michael O’Callaghan’s I Will Excel.
The colt displayed lots of speed when third to O’Brien’s East India and Michael Halford’s Portage over seven furlongs at the Curragh last time and is the one to beat.
Calorie, who had a tough task at the weights when failing by a neck to concede Bogardus 10lbs at Wexford, should run a big race in the ITBA Working For Southern Regional Breeders’ Fillies Handicap.
