Our successful Irish Eyes column has two selections on this afternoon's card at Naas.
Recommended bets: Irish Eyes
2pts Whitecliffsofdover in 2.40 Naas at 10/11
Whitecliffsofdover is the horse to beat in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes.
The US$1.15m yearling was a notable fourth on debut at the Curragh before making most and hacking up over today’s course and distance on his second start last August. He then finished a close second in a Newmarket Group 3 before stepping up again to finish third in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere where he appeared not to stay the mile trip, at that stage of his career at least.
He returned last month on his seasonal debut at Newmarket’s Craven meeting where he was dropped back in trip to 7f for the Listed Free Handicap. He ran out an impressive, all-the-way winner from Rodaini (unraced since) and Seven Heavens, who subsequently finished a close third in yesterday’s Listed King Charles II Stakes back at the Rowley Mile.
The application of a first-time tongue-tie that day is repeated today and only the good to yielding (yielding in places) ground is a slight concern. However, that is offset by the fact his 3yo allowance sees him in receipt of weight from all bar two of today's runners so all things considered, the current odds of 10/11 look generous and Whitecliffsofdover gets the nap selection in what is our betting partner Sky Bet's money-back race - if your pick is second, stakes will be refunded (limits apply).
Dali cost just under half what Whitecliffsofdover did at US$525,000 but his fellow American-bred stablemate also looks well up to Listed standard and at 11/4 he makes plenty of appeal in a race sponsored by his late sire’s and current owners stud, the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes.
The give in today’s ground is a slight concern but it should be remembered that another son of Scat Daddy, No Nay Never, won the Group 1 Prix Morny on good to soft whilst his daughter Lady Aurelia demolished last year’s Queen Mary field by seven lengths on soft ground at Ascot. Furthermore, the third of Scat Daddy’s leading progeny Caravaggio - who should easily account of his rivals in the Group 3 Lacken Stakes today - easily beat Mehmas in last year’s Coventry on soft ground so there are no concerns on that front for Dali.
Beaten on his debut at Dundalk by Joseph O’Brien’s 11/10 favourite on the day True Blue Moon (who reappears today), Dali was sent off favourite himself on his second start where, despite still looking green, he easily accounted for five rivals over today’s course and distance. Elsewhere in the race, Sirici only has one horse trading bigger than her and she could well outrun her odds, but Dali gets the next best selection to book his trip to Royal Ascot at a meeting that styles itself as the Irish trials day for next month’s Olympics of flat racing.
Posted 1028 BST on 21/05/17.