Sindhia can build on debut promise
Two meetings tomorrow but just one this afternoon, and the opening race at Leopardstown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden, is a superb contest. There are numerous likely types but Sindhia showed immense promise on debut and can shade the verdict from Amma Grace, who was third in a maiden which has worked out very well.
On debut, Sindhia was sent off 7-2 favourite for a Naas maiden and really gave herself no chance by racing very keenly all the way to the home straight. Remarkably, she picked up really well in the closing stages to finish fourth behind Valeria Messalina.
The winner did the form no harm by being beaten just a neck in a Newmarket Group 3 on her next start, while runner-up Now The King has also since won a maiden, as has the 10th placed Miss Myers. The selection left the impression the step up to a mile would be ideal but it’s imperative she settles much better this time.
If doing so, it will take something very smart to deny Michael Halford’s filly. Amma Grace was a well-backed favourite for a Cork maiden on her debut and ran very well to take third place behind Passion.
The form received a real boost when fourth-placed New York Girl won a Group 3 on her next start, while fifth-placed Lemista won her maiden next time. Clearly, that was an above-average maiden, and Amma Grace looks sure to go well again.
Massa Lubrense will be hard to beat in the Tote Supporting Irish Racing Since 1930 Handicap. John Geoghegan’s five-year-old was impressive beating Cyrus Dallin on his penultimate start and unlucky not to get much closer off a 7lb higher mark in a hot race next time out.
He runs off the same mark this time, is well drawn in stall two, and can continue his fine run of form. Quizical finished in front Massa Lubrense last time but may have his work cut out confirming that form.
Tomorrow’s nap comes in the finale in Naas, which can go the way of Karawann. Ger Lyons’ gelding was off the track for four months before his run last month at the Curragh, where he found only the progressive Bopedro too good.
That was over a mile, and the step up to 10 furlongs will be no problem. On ground which suits, he can claim a second success in just five runs for current connections. Crassus makes plenty of each-way appeal in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race Final. One of four runners for Noel Meade, he is a three-race maiden but caught the eye in defeat last time.
He travelled much the best for most of the journey but was ultimately outclassed by winner Degraves and caught on the line for second place by gambled-on newcomer Chiricahua. The drop back in trip should suit the selection, and he can get off the mark in this race worth almost €72,000 to the winner.
In Cork, Linger can carry top weight to victory in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old has been in good form since completing his double at the Galway festival, and the return to hurdling should prompt a return to winning ways.
Articulum brings a touch of class to the Coopsuperstores.ie Handicap Chase and the Arkle third can make it count in the valuable event, while Battle Of Midway made a winning return in a maiden hurdle at Galway and can follow up in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
