Shorter trip sure to suit Harasava
The seven-times champion will have plenty of high-profile mounts in Ascot over the coming days and he should make today’s trip to the north-west worthwhile by guiding the Aga Khan-owned, Dermot Weld-trained Azamour filly to victory in the finale.
Sixth to Could Should Would at Galway in her only juvenile start last September, Hasanava chased home the potentially useful stayer Barnacle Bill on her recent seasonal debut in Tipperary, with one of today’s rivals Azamesse in fifth.
Droppjng in trip and with improvement expected, the Weld filly should prove tough to beat, with Willie McCreery’s B Cosmos, third to Law Major at Leopardstown, the chief threat.
Smullen also has strong claims on the Johnny Murtagh-trained Stanley Daley in the two-year-old auction maiden.
Last of six, but far from disgraced, behind State Of Emergency on his debut at the Curragh, this Bushranger colt produced a better effort when fourth to Auld Enemy in Navan last time.
Expected to improve again and to appreciate this longer trip, Murtagh’s charge might have the edge over Miss Phillyjinks (if she avoids another tardy start), Rathbride Raven and the exposed Greyscape.
Matty Tynan’s Maontri, successful in Leicester last time, tops the weights for the Sligo GAA Raceday August 18th Fillies Handicap, but might not cope with course and distance winner Natural Woman, ridden for Kevin Prendergast by Chris Hayes.
This three-year-old bumped into some smart sorts in maiden company before scoring in heavy ground here in May and, although slightly disappointing when fifth to Lily’s Rainbow at Naas last time (over a mile), she should appreciate dropping back in trip.
