Navan - Sun 7 Jun 2026
Michael O'Callaghan gave SPIRIT OF MANN a positive mention after sending out a two-year-old winner at the Curragh on Wednesday. From a classy Juddmonte family on the dam's side, the Havana Grey colt was acquired for 160,000 pounds at the Breeze-Ups in April and shaped well in a recent barrier trial. Cleodolinda, a sister to a pair of juvenile Listed winners over 5f, finished strongly when second over C&D last month and will be more streetwise now. Hanney Boy and Desert Alchemist were placed over 6f at Cork and the latter, who was making his debut that day, can reverse placings on this occasion.
BODHI BEAR is a previous course winner and defeated Stag Night at the Curragh in March. He finished fifth in a big field there on Guineas weekend and should be suited by a return to the minimum distance. Stag Night went one better following that aforementioned clash and will be helped by any rain that arrives. The Highway Rat is a dual C&D winner and was only a place behind the selection on his seasonal reappearance last month. Stakes performer Kerdos hasn't made much of an impact since winning a Group 2 at Haydock two years ago, but has to be respected dropping down into handicap company.
SOMMELIER was second to the high-class Big Evs in a Listed contest in 2024 and has tumbled down the weights since then before finding his level when making all in first-time blinkers at the Curragh on Wednesday. This slight drop in trip shouldn't pose him any problems and he may still be ahead of his mark. Alnofoor is two from four this year, including a victory here in March, and accounted for Jordan Breeze at Bellewstown next time. He has to be respected along with dual AW winner An Laochmor, who ran well over C&D in April.
COLLECTIVE POWER is on a particularly threatening mark with Enola Pollet's 10lb claim factored in and he makes plenty of appeal on paper, especially being a former C&D winner. Greek Flower reverts back to sprinting off an appealing mark and could be coming home stronger than most, while you wouldn't want to be ruling out Nouvel Espoir and I Bid You Ajou.
Jessica Harrington's HOTAZHELL is clear on official ratings, as he is well versed at the highest level, and can make a winning reappearance. He is a ground-versatile sort who was last seen finishing in rear of mid-division in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last October. His fourth place on penultimate start in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown was a notable effort. Harrington also saddles Norwalk Havoc and his running-on third behind a couple of horses rated 117 and 110 in Listed class at Leopardstown in April gives him his chance. Wemightakedlongway, who was third in this grade at Haydock last month, and Aidan O'Brien's Isaac Newton could both show up well.
LA FOGATA showed ability when keeping the winner of a Listed race in Naas honest. That was her first start since switching to Donnacha O'Brien and it came over a longer trip. She has solid juvenile form, though, and with the three-year-old allowance factored in, receives a stone from Sindria. Joseph O'Brien's Sindria holds the same rating of 100 as La Fogata and took the honours in a Listed fillies' race at Gowran Park. She was subsequently unplaced in a Group 2 at the Curragh, but has to rate a danger back in this company. Drop Dead Gorgeous didn't fire in a Curragh Group 3, but is lightly-raced and may well bounce back on this occasion.
MAPA might prove good enough to make the breakthrough. She caught the eye when keeping on for third over an extended 1m4f at Roscommon and could enjoy this extra yardage. Desert Friend has plenty of weight, but knows where the winning post is over staying trips. He ought to be right in the thick of the action along with Deluca Chop.
EASTERN WIND stayed on nicely to get up for second over a similar trip at Leopardstown and has prospects of going one better. She remains on the same mark and Sadhbh Tormey claims 7lb again. Jurality was just a short head behind Eastern Wind in third at Leopardstown and built on that when runner-up over further at Down Royal, so he merits close consideration. Mephisto is also noted.
CLEODOLINDA showed signs of greenness first time out but she finished strongly when the penny dropped and is taken to build on that here. Desert Alchemist has already proven his stamina for further so should appreciate the stiff track. He can fill the places with Hanney Boy who has finished runner up on both of his starts so far on easy ground.
NAMIID belatedly got off the mark last time over C&D and can follow up on his handicap debut. He looks on a generous mark judged on his maiden form and may have more to offer in first time blinkers. Consistent top weight The Highway Rat is also a C&D winner and should come on for his latest run. He can chase the selection home ahead of Bodhi Bear who has returned to form this spring.
An open race can go to the steadily progressive AN LAOCHMOR who proved himself equally effective on turf here last time. The inconsistent Lethimfly proved he retained his ability after a lay off on his penultimate start and could bounce back in first time cheekpieces. He can chase the selection home ahead of the generally consistent Mickey The Steel who is on a long losing run but has dropped a fair way in the weights.
The unexposed OCEAN'S BREATH can continue his rapid progress. He looks well treated returned to handicaps after a win last time over 7f and will be suited by the stiff track down in trip. Nouvel Espoir flew home having missed the break last time and should appreciate this slightly longer trip. He can fill the places with Collective Power who is on a dangerous mark judged on his AW efforts.
A pair stand out here in Wemightakedlongway and HOTAZHELL. Last year's Irish Oaks runner up has been steadily running into form this term and is respected taking a drop in class but it is the latter who is preferred. He was a Group 1 winner as a 2yo and was far from disgraced at the top level last year including in the Irish Champion Stakes. He can make a winning reappearance with Lemsairbat who has proven consistent since a move from France gaining the final place.
Debut winner DROP DEAD GORGEOUS may ideally want a bit further than this in time but she remains open to plenty of improvement for her top stable. She has already placed at Group level and should take advantage of this drop in class at the expense of the unexposed La Fogata who split a useful pair last time in a Listed contest. She's entitled to come on for that outing and can fill the podium with Duckadilly who was given too much to do on her reappearance last time.
DELUCA CHOP is a strong selection here. He has gone more than 3 years without a win but he arrives in excellent form and he remains very well treated on his recent AW efforts. He could build on his recent turf return in a first time visor and defeat frustrating maiden Mapa who returned to form off a much reduced mark last time. God The Highness is another maiden who returns from hurdling and he looks on a fair mark on his autumn run here. He should also be on the premises in first time cheekpieces.
JURALITY has been in good form since returning from hurdling and could belatedly shed his maiden tag here. He has placed off similar marks over staying trips on his last couple of starts and should be able to confirm form with consistent dual purpose performer Mephisto. Felicity Smoak ran well for a long way on her return from hurdling last time and is entitled to come on for that run so can also get involved.
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