Joseph can come out on top in clash of the O'Briens at Navan
The jumps finale at Punchestown is just around the corner, but the Flat takes centre stage on Saturday with meetings at Navan And Limerick.
The Navan meeting sees the return of two Ballydoyle stars from 2025 and it’ll be a disappointment if Charles Darwin and Scandinavia fail to make winning reappearances.
For Charles Darwin, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Committed Stakes represents an ideal starting point for his three-year-old campaign and a chance to confirm his status as the horse to beat in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June.
The No Nay Never colt already has a Royal Ascot success to his name, winning the Norfolk Stakes in impressive fashion on what proved his final start as a two-year-old.
He’ll likely come on for this run but his class should offset any niggling fitness concerns.
Stablemate Scandinavia crowned a fine three-year-old campaign by claiming Classic glory in the St Leger last September.
He should pick up where he left off by confirming Doncaster form with St Leger fifth Carmers when the pair renew their rivalry in the BAR 1 Betting Vintage Crop Stakes.
Aidan, Joseph, and Donnacha O’Brien are on a collision course in the feature, the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes.
It looks a tricky puzzle but the Joseph O’Brien-trained Thundering On shaped well beaten a short head by Skydance in a Leopardstown maiden earlier this month and the Frankel filly may be able to go one better here, chiefly at the expense of the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Emmeleia.
A case could be made for the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ice Dancer on his seasonal reappearance but Thundering On gets the vote.
Latin America has strong claims in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. Trained by Johnny Murtagh, the Gleneagles colt made a promising debut when second at the Curragh last month and this looks a good opportunity to get off the mark.
The O’Brien family should also be among the winners at Limerick with Signora, second in her two runs this season, fancied to make it third time lucky in the opening race on the card while the Joseph O’Brien-trained Chablis Rock looks the one to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
1.20 An Laochmor
1.55 West Of Eden
2.30 Charles Darwin
3.05 Scandinavia
3.40 Thundering On (Nap)
4.15 Latin America (NB)
4.50 Obscenity
5.25 Celtic Druid
1.20 Arctic Steps
1.55 Tribeca
2.30 Kindergarten
3.05 Carmers
3.40 Emmeleia
4.15 Now Maybe
4.50 Justenzia
5.25 Earthsong
1.35 Signora
2.10 Zenford
2.40 Spacebound
3.15 Moyassr
3.50 Faoladh
4.25 Hellorhighwater
5.00 Chablis Rock
5.35 Miss Crinshawn
1.35 Rayzera
2.10 God Of Power
2.40 Sron Na Caise
3.15 Electric Night
3.50 Mythical Rock
4.25 Lady Lilac
5.00 Pleased
5.35 Calamint
