Naas - Sun 23 Aug 2026
The Dermot Weld-trained SILVER KISS is fancied to open her account. Third on her introduction at Fairyhouse, the form of that race has been well advertised by the front two subsequently. She occupied the same position at Galway last time, but the runner-up from that contest has since finished second in a Listed race. Maeda Matsu should be capable of improving on a promising debut at this track earlier in the month. Given normal improvement the Sheila Lavery-trained filly shouldn't be far away. Miss Twilight has a wide draw to overcome but if doing so, she would have a chance.
Third on her racecourse bow over 5f here in June, RED PRIMROSE can take a step forward. This extra furlong should really suit Ger Lyons' filly and given that her debut form has been boosted a couple of times since, the daughter of Blackbeard looks the one to beat. Runner-up over this trip on her introduction at Cork, Argentarius may not have stayed the seven furlongs at Galway last time. Back over a sprint trip, the Danny Murphy-trained filly has every chance. Formous appeals most of the newcomers.
ZOAR sets a good standard after finishing second in an 18-runner contest over course and distance last month. The winner gave that form a major boost when landing the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on his next start and the third was Listed-placed at the Curragh last weekend. The No Nay Never colt changed hands after that promising debut and is now in the care of Donnacha O'Brien. Roeillaun showed marked improvement when second at the Curragh and gets plenty of weight from the selection. A half-sister to several winners, Miss Cashman Hooke is one of the more interesting debutants.
SOUL LOVE recorded her second success at Listed level over C&D last month. She had five of these rivals behind her on that occasion and can again show her liking for this venue. First Instinct was over a length in front of the selection when they were placed in a Group 3 at York. The four-year-old's win at Cork last year demonstrated that she doesn't mind travelling, and she represents last year's winning yard. Havana Anna is unbeaten in three runs at this track and was a fine fourth in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot. She was below par at the Curragh last time, but now drops in grade and looks much the best of the home team.
DANDY LAND had been edging closer to a first victory before making the breakthrough over C&D earlier this month and the lightly-raced four-year-old can follow up off a 7lb higher mark. Simmering Seas was well backed on her first start for Danny Murphy at Cork and showed that the market support was not misplaced when chasing home a well-treated winner. Placed behind the selection here last time, Steel Magnolia and Step Back In Time have to enter calculations as well. The latter is a four-time winner and may fare best of the pair on this occasion.
TERO D'ROSA is on a nice mark with Shane Markey taking 7lb off his back. Ross O'Sullivan's charge is versatile over a range of trips and has been generally consistent in handicap company since last November. He won at Ballinrobe in May off a rating of 55 and effectively competes off 54 here due to Markey's allowance. Millhone is a danger on the back of close seconds at this track and in Cork. The handicapper has nudged her up another 4lb, though. Amavasya was last seen winning at Fairyhouse in June and is another contender, along with Dermot Weld's Glittering Gem and Kevin Coleman's Derry Lad.
This is a drop in grade for PORT OF SPAIN and he could take advantage of it with Jack Cleary easing his burden by 5lb. He has been keeping very good company and has a notable third in the book from a Group 3 at Leopardstown last October behind Christmas Day. Diamond Exchange returned to winning ways at this track and could have more to offer off a 3lb higher mark. Guardian Of Realm has changed stables since hacking up in a fillies' maiden at Fairyhouse in May and has to be respected on handicap debut, while Minella Rockett bids for back-to-back victories on the level.
The form of both maiden runs of Silver Kiss has been boosted emphatically and she has already proven her stamina for this far so will be tough to beat. Maeda Matsu looks the clear danger on the figures and is closely matched with the selection on collateral. If her stamina holds up she can pose the biggest challenge ahead of Star Glory who was disappointing last time but would hold every chance on her penultimate run.
ARGENTARIUS has shaped with promise on both of her starts so far and her latest run is worth marking up as she did plenty early. She tired late over 7f that day and should be capable of better dropped slightly in trip at a stiff track. She can account for Red Primrose who flew home to place over 5f here on debut. She's bred to relish this step up in trip and looks the chief threat ahead of Pink Venom who left her debut form behind when dropped to 6f last time.
ZOAR was only beaten on debut by a classy rival who has franked the form at Group level and will be tough to beat with a repeat of that starting out for his new yard. He's already proven at this stiff track and is picked to defeat Capital Of Pride whose debut midfield effort has also been boosted. Roeillaun has an experience edge and has steadily progressed on each start to date culminating in a runner up effort last time. She is also expected to be bang there.
A good race for the level but HAVANA ANNA appeals most given her fine course record. She was a winner at this level over C&D in the spring and ran well at the top level in the Commonwealth Cup next time. Stepping back up to her optimum distance she can account for First Instinct whose narrow defeat in the Summer Stakes was boosted at Glorious Goodwood. She represents last year's winning yard and looks a big danger along with fellow UK raider Soul Love who was just behind her at York. The dual Listed winner is well worth another go at this level.
The unexposed SIMMERING SEAS bounced back to form when dropped back to the minimum trip last time. That run is worth marking up as she conceded first run and she gets to race off the same mark here. She can defeat the consistent but frustrating maiden Steel Magnolia who has been running well here recently but her battling qualities are a concern. I'm Spartacus has generally been in good form of late and will appreciate the stiff track dropping in trip. He can stay on for a place on the podium.
AMAVASYA needed every yard when winning over just shy of 10f last time having met trouble. She's only gone up 6lb for that breakthrough win and should have more to offer over this slightly longer trip at a stiffer track. She can defeat Wie Wunderbar who proved consistent in Germany and has been given a lenient mark for her new top stable. Another who is potentially better than her opening mark is Parish Team. He will be suited by the fast ground and step back up in distance so could also run well at a price while the steadily progressive Millhone would be of interest if getting a run.
ALICE MONET could prove a class apart from this field. She travelled best in the Galtres at this time last year and although things haven't gone to plan since she returned to form last time when ridden overly aggressively. She races off the same mark here and has a good draw from which to attack once again. Minella Rockett has been thriving in both codes and needed every yard when winning over an extended mile at Galway last time. That form has been boosted at York and he should have more to offer over this longer trip so looks the chief threat. The consistent Diamond Exchange was a C&D winner last time so also has to be respected.
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