Star Performer can rise to challenge and better Faiyum
Star Performer and Declan McDonogh win the Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed). Pic: Healy Racing
Star Performer can prove herself well named by getting the better of Faiyum in the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes, the feature contest on Saturday’s seven-race Gowran Park Flat card.
Victorious on debut at the Curragh in July, the Joseph O’Brien-trained daughter of Sea The Stars scored over Saturday’s course and distance a month later, beating Hollys Graces by four and a half lengths in a listed contest.
This assignment represents another step up in class and will obviously demand more but Star Performer looks an exciting filly and can rise to the challenge to complete the hat-trick.
Faiyum bolted up in this race last year and the Ger Lyons-trained Frankel filly will obviously be a tough to crack if she runs to that level again.
However, while her runner-up finish in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at the Curragh last month was a definite step in the right direction, her overall form this season has been below to level she reached last year, most notably when only fourth over course and distance when sent off an 8-11 favourite in a listed race in May.
There’s unlikely to be much between the two fillies at the finish but Star Performer has looked the part to date and may have greater scope for further improvement than Faiyum. For that reason, she gets the vote.
The nap comes from the Irish EBF Maiden where the Aidan O’Brien-trained Albany County can make it third time lucky.
Fourth on debut at the Curragh last month when sent off an unfancied 25-1 shot, the Camelot colt then finished a distant second behind stablemate Darkness Falls 13 days later.
That form got a boost at the Irish Champions Festival last weekend when Darkness Falls sauntered to victory in the inaugural running of the Group 1 HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown.
Unless newcomer Mount Meru is above average, Albany County will face nothing of the calibre of Darkness Falls this weekend and he should be able to get off the mark.
Saturday’s jumps fare comes from Navan where Dallas Star can provide Amo Racing with a debut winner over obstacles by landing the spoils in the BAR 1 Betting "Download Our App" Maiden Hurdle.
Though winless since February of last year, the Cloth Of Stars gelding has run on a decent level on the Flat for Adrian Murray and, more recently, Robson De Aguiar and the five-year-old is now fancied to make a perfect start to life in the care of Emmet Mullins.
Del Boys Diva has decent each-way prospects in the SIS, Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Hurdle.
Victorious in Roscommon and Wexford in July, the Shane Crawley-trained six-year-old has finished fifth in two subsequent starts.
On his most recent outing, at Kilbeggan at the start of the month, he faded late in the day on his first outing beyond an extended two miles.
Back over his preferred trip, he may be able to bounce back to winning ways.
The seven-day extravaganza that is the Listowel Harvest Festival kicks off on Sunday where Willie Mullins can start the week as he doubt means to continue by dominating.
Hurdling debutant Run Ted Run, Wonderful Everyday, and Green Hint appeal as likely Closutton winners while Jalila Moriviere has strong claims in the feature, the Kinisla Handicap Chase.
However, the JP McManus-owned mare may have to settle for minor honours if the Henry de Bromhead-trained Coming Up Easy can build on his Galway second to Blood Destiny last time out.
It could be a good day for De Bromhead as Sky Lord, victorious at Wexford on his most recent visit to a racetrack, may be able to get the better of Closutton contender Ocastle Des Mottes in the novice chase.
2.06 Greydreambeliever
2.41 Nevermindtherain
3.15 Albany County (Nap)
3.50 Star Performer
4.25 Suir Monad
5.02 Make The Tide
5.37 Chipsrdown
2.06 Rion Rubette
2.41 Castilian Queen
3.15 Mount Meru
3.50 Faiyum
4.25 Sherekiya
5.02 Moyassr
5.37 Princess Chloe
1.07 Dallas Star (NB)
1.42 Del Boys Diva
2.17 Market Square
2.52 Maxicourt
3.26 Mother Ship
4.02 Emerald Enigma
4.35 Knocknagoran Lady
5.12 El Paraiso
1.07 Ivatt
1.42 Bells Grove
2.17 Any Chance
2.52 Noble Rocco 3.26 Goin'
4.02 Mossy Way
4.35 Costanuci
5.12 Ellen Imlach
2.18 Minella Buoy
2.48 Tumbling In
3.18 Wonderful Everyday
3.48 Run Ted Run (Nap)
4.18 Sky Lord (NB)
4.48 Coming Up Easy
5.18 Green Hint
2.18 Hello Garda
2.48 Majestic Force
3.18 Pampar Lady
3.48 Gillane
4.18 Ocastle Des Mottes
4.48 Jalila Moriviere
5.18 Sir Vinny
