Step up in trip can provide Lady Kai with perfect opportunity

She was sent off favourite for a 13-furlong handicap last month at Down Royal but was never able to land a meaningful blow on her way to a third-place finish.

Thu, 07 Aug, 2025 - 06:30

Tommy Lyons

Two meetings this evening, with the best of the fare in Leopardstown, which hosts a seven-race card.

The nap comes in the finale, the Tote Fegentri World Championship Qualified Riders’ Race, in which Lady Kai can make a return to winning ways.

Ross O’Sullivan’s mare won twice last year and made a promising return to action when a close fourth in a Gowran handicap.

Off for almost two months after that outing, she was sent off favourite for a 13-furlong handicap last month at Down Royal but was never able to land a meaningful blow on her way to a third-place finish.

Returning less than three weeks after that run and with the step up in trip sure to suit and the booking of Josh Williamson a distinct positive, she can use this opportunity to record a third career victory.

Veteran Walking On Glass is capable of a bold showing, as is Friary Road, who was placed on three of his last four runs and also far from disgraced when eighth to A Dream To Share in a maiden over this course and distance.

The Bahran Turf Club Desmond Stakes is one of two Group 3 races on the card and Alakazi can land the spoils for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen. The only three-year-old in this race, his most recent outing was in a similar race at the Curragh and he posted a fine effort to finish runner-up to Skukuza.

On that occasion, he finished a place in front of Currawood, who is a great yardstick at this level, and two in front of Fiery Lucy, who subsequently finished runner-up in a listed race in Killarney.

Lord Massusus, who re-opposes, was further behind, and Alakazi can confirm that form, even if Lord Massusus can get closer this time. Last year’s winner, Mutasarref, hasn’t managed to put his head in front thus far this term but remains a consistent sort, still capable at this level.

Miqdaad was an unlucky loser last time, when a leather broke, and can make amends in the Tote Handicap, while Sinbad My Dad has strong each-way claims in the BoyleSports Lengthen The Odds Handicap.

In Sligo. Eye Of A Tiger can end a run of three placed efforts with victory in the Martin Reilly Hyundai Mares’ Maiden Hurdle. Trained by John Ryan, who does well at this track, she has shown more than enough to suggest she can win races, and this looks like her best opportunity to date.

Tommy Lyons' picks:

Leopardstown

5:20 Res Ipsa

5:53 Spodo Komodo

6:23 Alakazi

6:53 Crystal Black (nb)

7:23 Miqdaad

7:53 Sinbad My Dad

8:25 Lady Kai (nap)

Next best

5:20 Montreal

5:53 Wild Sapphire