Currawood can make it third time lucky at Naas
Naas plays host to a decent card on Thursday. File Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Naas plays host to a decent card and Currawood can make it third time lucky when he contests the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Acclamation colt made his debut in late June at the Curragh and there was distinct promise in his third-place finish behind Hazdann and subsequent maiden and Group 2 winner Green Impact. That race has worked out particularly well, with numerous winners behind him.
Three weeks later, over the same course and distance, he was sent off 7-4 for another maiden but, in the finish, was no match for The Lion In Winter. Despite the fact he was put in his place, there are many reasons to upgrade that effort.
For most of the seven-furlong journey he was challenged by favourite Ides In March and by the time he got the better of that rival, the winner, who had not been involved in the battle, swept past the pair of them.
Given that the third won a maiden and a Group 3 on his next two starts, and the winner went on to win the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York, it was a well-above-average maiden.
The selection is dropping back to just under six furlongs this time but that shouldn’t be a concern, and he can make the most of his experience.
The most interesting of his rivals are Ballydoyle newcomer Mississippi River and Joseph O’Brien’s Saracen, who is also on debut. Two expensive yearlings, the market will be a good guide.
The other worth considering is Ballydoyle’s once-raced Antelope Canyon.
His debut was not without merit and given the level of improvement they tend to show from first to second race, he should not be dismissed lightly.
Edergole’s Angel can take the Gain The Advantage Series Nursery for Willie McCreery and Billy Lee.
The filly has shown promise on all four starts to date and would appear to have taken a small step forward with each effort.
Last time out, on her handicap debut, she made good late progress to take second place behind King Thistle.
The handicapper saw fit to put her up 2lbs for that run but that shouldn’t be an issue. The step up to a mile should help bring about further improvement, and she can take this at the expense of Now and Buck Barrow.
2:25 Showspinner
2:55 Currawood (nap)
3:25 Weegeebear
3:55 Mighty Day
4:30 Edergole’s Angel (nb)
5:05 Cercene
5:40 Galveston
2:25 Misappropriation
2:55 Saracen
3:25 Tommy McJohn
3:55 William F Browne
4:30 Now
5:05 Rowdy Yeats
5:40 Washington Street
