Cork - Sun 14 Jun 2026
NEW BOND STREET cost 200,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up sale in April and that experience should stand to her on her racecourse debut. Out of a Group 3-placed juvenile, Ballinea Star contested a hot Naas maiden on debut and was beaten just under two lengths in a race which is working out well at Navan last month. Madam Secretary is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Garswood and is expected to improve quite a bit from her Listowel debut.
FORT VEGA is 10lb higher than when landing last year's renewal of this valuable race. However, the six-year-old made a fine recent reappearance over a shorter distance and that gave the impression there could be more in the locker. Headmaster won the aforementioned contest at the Curragh in May, with Aviatrice finishing third, and each of those rivals hold obvious claims, having previously shown form over this distance. Bint Majestic Roi races off a career-high rating as she seeks a hat-trick, while other recent winners Key Witness and Bella Isabella would each prefer easier ground.
XERLING improved on her juvenile form when finishing second to a useful winner at Navan last month. She holds Grande Cuvee on that form and has a fine opportunity to shed the maiden tag. Sparky Sparky disappointed here in May, but had run well in a C&D maiden in April and wasn't beaten too far in a Curragh handicap 11 days ago. Cactus has something to prove, but can't be ruled out.
GAZELLE D'OR can get her head back in front in what looks an open Listed sprint. Initially rated just 70, the selection has progressed well and finished a good second in a similar Listed race last month. In that Naas race, Keke (third), Likedbymike (fourth) and Billie Be Quick (fifth) were all close in behind and each hold obvious claims. Oh Cecelia is progressive having finished second at Group 3 level in May but she will need to handle the drop in trip.
TREASURED ROYAL won a Navan maiden last year and should be suited by this drop back to the minimum trip after showing plenty of pace in 6f handicaps this year. The Gavin Cromwell-trained filly was placed behind Chicago Pope at Naas and again weakened in the closing stages at Fairyhouse last time. Happy Henry showed a smart turn of foot when coming from off the pace to open his account at Navan last Sunday and looks a serious threat, despite an 8lb rise. Genesis added to two wins at Dundalk when scoring at the Curragh last month and ran better than his finishing position would suggest last time.
SPARAN NUA has impressed on both starts and is taken to cope with this step up in class and distance to complete a hat-trick. The daughter of Dawn Approach made a successful debut in a Naas maiden and again finished strongly when following up over an extended 1m1f at Gowran. Riding arrangements suggest Nyra is preferred of Joseph O'Brien's trio and the German Group 3 winner should progress from her seasonal debut at the Curragh last month. Beset has scored twice at Listed level including over this trip at the Curragh but may prefer an ease in the ground, while Perfect Your Craft was a progressive handicapper for Ralph Beckett and went close on her first start for current connections.
CISTERNA got off the mark over an extended 7f at Roscommon last month and may have found the trip a bit too sharp at the Curragh last time. The Andy Slattery-trained gelding remains on a competitive mark and gets the vote over Clonbun, who won a mile claimer at Gowran and has been gelded since finishing third last time behind Substance at Roscommon. Bear Right had both No More Hiding and Gowran winner Chirac behind when placed over this trip at Leopardstown, while Hambelton has dropped to an attractive mark.
Ballinea Star sets the standard on ratings following a couple of promising efforts. However he latest improvement came when dropped back to 5f and she could be vulnerable over this longer trip. MADAM SECRETARY is bred for longer trips than this but she ran well first time out placing over 6f. The form of that race has taken a boost in the UK this week and a repeat would make her tough to beat here. Newcomers New Bond Street and Saoirse Silk also appeal with the latter's dam a Listed winner in France.
A hot contest where plenty can be given a chance. Headmaster left his stable debut behind when beating AVIATRICE last time and remains well treated on his best UK form so is respected. However his re-opposing rival is thrown in on her AW efforts and with the step back up in trip in her favour she could reverse form on these revised terms. She is entitled to come on for that first run since the winter and can continue her progression at the expense of the consistent but slightly frustrating Collecting Coin who gets cheekpieces for the first time. In form Fort Vega finished a place ahead of the selection last time so is also feared along with City House who has been hinting at a revival recently off a reduced mark. His latest run is worth marking up as he met trouble.
Sparky Sparky just about sets the standard on form based on his placed effort here in the spring. However he's had plenty of chances since but has proven inconsistent with the cheekpieces now reached for. Instead it may pay to side with Xerling who left her previous form behind when finishing runner up on her reappearance. That form has already been boosted and she's entitled to come on for her first outing since the autumn. Osterode has an extremely speedy pedigree and represents a yard which can get the odd first time out winner so is worth following in the betting.
OH CECELIA was advantaged by racing alone last time but she still produced a career best by some distance. That runner up effort in a Group 3 sets the standard on recent form and a repeat would make her tough to beat here. Gazelle D'Or chased home a classy rival at this level on her penultimate start before being outstayed over 6f last time. Back down in trip she can provide the main threat ahead of Likedbymike who she is closely matched with on recent form.
HAPPY HENRY did very well to win last time having missed the break and met trouble. He was aided by an overly strong pace at a stiff track but this venue should also suit and he will have more to offer now he's had his head in front so can defy an 8lb rise. Treasured Royal was highly tried at 2 and has been in excellent form in handicaps recently. She is feared most ahead of the inconsistent Nouvel Espoir who is capable off her current mark.
SPARAN NUA could continue her unbeaten run here. She does have to prove her stamina for this far but her debut form has been franked and she looked useful when beating a couple of previous winners over just shy of 10f last time. Dual Listed winner Beset probably sets the standard on recent ratings and although she appears the stable second string on jockey bookings she may prove the biggest threat. Progressive handicapper Perfect Your Craft was only narrowly denied by a race fit rival on her stable debut and is expected to come on for the outing. She is also feared stepping up in class in first time cheekpieces.
Claiming winner CLONBUN produced a solid effort when returned to handicaps last time and with the step up in trip in his favour he is expected to take advantage of a lenient mark. The generally consistent Hambelton is better than he was able to show in the UK last time where he endured a torrid trip. He can pose the main challenge ahead of recent winner Cisterna who has to prove his stamina but he will go close if doing so.
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