Tramore - Sat 15 Aug 2026
Mawhibah took a step forward when fourth at Limerick and is going in the right direction. Shay Wallace's 7lb allowance helps the three-year-old's cause on this occasion and she is preferred to Phlox and Essential Comedy. However, Paddy Twomey trained last year's winner and he introduces SEA OF THE CELTS here. The first foal of a winner between 1m4f to 1m6f, she cost 525,000gns as a yearling and the daughter of Sea The Stars may prove good enough at the first time of asking.
Bumper and hurdles winner Davy Crockett debuts on the level representing powerful connections and he should be noted, while smart chaser Solness could only manage fourth at the Curragh last month on his first start on the Flat. The latter makes more appeal than stablemate Metallic, but this could go the way of GLITTERING GEM. Narrowly beaten at Sligo recently, Dermot Weld's Frankel filly will appreciate this extra test of stamina and is taken to open her account.
Rodeo Blues failed in her bid for a hat-trick when only fifth at Galway last time. She has something to prove off her current mark, while Mare Crisium has more scope and this shorter distance could see her in the mix. However, MAXMINELLI has been threatening to get his head in front of late and after finding only one too good over an extended 1m4f at Limerick last month, Henry De Bromhead's charge could be the one to side with.
A 1lb nudge up the ratings for LIMESTONE RED's close-up second at Killarney could prove to be lenient. The six-year-old enjoyed the step up in distance that day and this extra yardage shouldn't prevent another bold showing. Stepdance arrives on the back of a respectable 10th in a 22-runner affair at Leopardstown and she may serve the most resistance to the selection, while Spinning Web could also have a say in reapplied blinkers.
A rise in class was enough to thwart Daboya in her hat-trick bid when finishing last at Gowran Park on Wednesday, but better is expected in these calmer waters. However, MARMELADOVA is a bit more appealing on the pick of her form and it's easy to forgive her latest disappointing effort over an inadequate mile at the Curragh. Merlin The Wizard is unexposed over this distance and it would be no surprise if he could conjure up an improved performance.
Filey Bay should improve despite finishing a distant 19th at Galway, remembering that was his first start in over nine months. He won a competitive Galway handicap last summer and a market watch may be the way forward. Miss Gitana posted a much better effort with a close third at Leopardstown last time and could feature again, but DELTA is preferred. A three-quarter-length second at Leopardstown last month, a repeat of that may be all Joseph O'Brien's gelding needs.
In a wide-open contest, VERVAIN is more consistent than most, following a pair of fourth places with the runner-up spot at Gowran Park when going under by a head. Cheekpieces and an added half-mile may yet bring out the best of the Acclamation filly whose stamina defies her pedigree. Lariat was a C&D second off the same mark in July and looks a serious rival, and is 9lb better off with winner Bynx, who has run well over fences since.
MAWHIBAH left her debut form behind when upped to 12f last time finishing midfield. That form has been franked and a repeat should be enough to get off the mark here. Phlox disappointed last time but she went too fast and would have a chance if back to the level of her debut effort. Strong stayer Essential Comedy needs a bit more for the win but may do best of the rest.
SOLNESS won 3 times at the top level over fences and can build on a promising Flat debut last month. He may ideally want further in time but if ridden more positively at this sharp venue he can outclass this line up. Dual hurdle winner Davy Crockett was highly tried in that discipline and should have a future on the Flat for top connections. He can fill the places with Glittering Gem who has an experience edge and has been steadily progressing for her top stable.
RODEO BLUES was given a poor ride at Galway last time in a bid to preserve her stamina as she sought a hat trick. Now her stamina is proven she can gain some compensation in this weaker contest. Maxminelli remains a maiden but he has been in excellent form recently including in some good maidens. He was out-battled late on his first try at 12f last time but should be thereabouts once more if his stamina holds up. The steadily progressive A Pretty Penny got racing too early over this C&D lats time and should also be on the premises.
The best handicapped in the race is probably Limestone Red who is only 1lb higher than when runner up last time. That proved he could act on turf and he gets to race off a much lower mark on this surface but he is yet to fully convince with his stamina for 12f so could be vulnerable late. The Andrew Slattery yard holds strong claims with Nathema and PREPARATIONS so could scoop the victory. The former stays 12f well and her handicap debut where she missed the break is worth ignoring as she needed the run. It is her stablemate who is preferred though having been given too much to do last time when midfield. She's entitled to come on for that first Flat run since the winter and is now 8lb below her last winning mark while she looks the stable first string on jockey bookings.
CHURCHWARDEN has been in excellent form at this venue in both codes and will be tough to beat if turned out quickly. He's gone up 12lb for his latest Flat win but is completely unexposed for this top stable. Rakki is far from a stable star but he was a hurdles winner last year and his recent Flat Galway run is worth marking up. He is on a dangerous mark judged on his UK form and can play a part along with another dual purpose performer Berto Ramirez. The race came too soon over hurdles but his latest placed effort in this sphere reads well.
DELTA can defy top weight. He proved himself competitive off a similar mark in a better race in the spring and bounced back to form last time when runner up proving his stamina for staying trips. Listed hurdles winner Dream On Baby had plenty in hand when successful here earlier in the week and looks the obvious threat starting out in handicaps off a lenient mark. She can fill the places with useful dual purpose performer Spasiba who is on a dangerous mark but may just find her stamina giving way late.
GALLO DELL CIELO can take advantage of a much lower turf mark. He proved he could be effective on the grass when placing off 1lb lower last summer and he's been in excellent form at Dundalk recently while he remains unexposed as a stayer. Bynx has been in excellent form in both codes and was a C&D winner off 4lb lower on his last Flat run. He looks the clear danger ahead of Maxwell Smart who looked as if need of a step up to staying trips last time.
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