Naas race to act as Epsom trial for Marjalina

Marjalina will put her Juddmonte Oaks credentials on the line in the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas next Wednesday.

Kevin Prendergast’s filly was given quotes for Epsom by the bookmakers after a striking performance in the Park Express Stakes at the Curragh when she fairly flew home to beat Savethisdanceforme.

The Marju filly did have an alternative engagement at Leopardstown in the Amethyst Stakes, but Prendergast has decided on the Naas event won by John Oxx’s Four Sins last year.

“She’ll run at Naas in the Blue Wind on Wednesday,” said Prendergast.

“The mile would probably have been a bit sharp for her against the older horses so we’ve plumped for a mile and a quarter and then we will probably know where we are going with her.

“She picked up well last time, but the ground was very soft mind and she might have just handled it better than most.

“She is by Marju though so we are hoping that she handles fast ground. We are hoping that she progresses.

“If she wins and she puts up a good show she is in the Oaks so she would take her chance, but she has to win to go.”

Marjalina is currently a general 16-1 chance for the Juddmonte Oaks on June 6.