After a near eleven week absence we can enjoy a return to horse racing action across the Irish Sea once again beginning at Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Racing in Britain having restarted last week after the suspension of all racing because of the coronavirus pandemic. This first meeting to restart the Irish Turf season should be comprised of an eight race card where we'll have two 5f listed races as the highlights of today's meeting; the Kuroshio At Compas Stallions Committed Stakes off at 17:05 and the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes [17:35].
In line with other regulations around social distancing and measures that have been approved by the Irish Racing we are seeing racing resume behind closed doors. Only the minimum required officials, stewards, trainers and jockeys are allowed to attend and all are tested under recommendations and protocols put in place by the respective governments that has allowed racing to restart again.
Here's a link to this meeting's race card; RACECARD
Going and Weather -- The going here today is described as 'Good to firm, firm in places' and the current weather forecast for this Monday is for a lot of cloudy weather a light chance of some showers too and we expect the temperature to reach single figures around 18C by the time the meeting gets underway.
Today's Races and Selections;
Going: Good to firm, firm in places
Surface: Turf
14:55 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden
5f 16 Runners
The opening contest is a fillies maiden, only one horse having any racecourse experience; Forever My Girl who managed to finish 4th here just before the lock down was enforced. The big yards are fully represented and we'll probably take a look at the likes of ALLAGAR (J Bolger) and LET IT BEA (J Harrington) in the betting in a race that is probably going to give more information for the future.
1st - MORE BEAUTIFUL 11/4f [J A Heffernan]
15:30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
6f 18 Runners
Very similar race to the opener in that only one has had an appearance; LIPIZZANER who was runner up in a race here and the Aiden O'Brien runner will surely benefit from that experience and be a strong favourite today. There are plenty of other O'Brien runners, Joseph runs Hype/Larado and Donnacha has Falsaron in the line up. Away from the O'Brien family we'll look at EASTERN VOICE along with TURBO SPIRIT as possible each way options.
1st - LUCKY VEGA 9/2 [S Foley]
16:00 Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Handicap (Div One)
6f 17 Runners
This six furlong handicap has been divided and the opening division has several runners who have kept busy on the all weather track at Dundalk, maybe POET'S PRIDE will do best of those off this mark if transferring that form to turf again. The sole three year old TOO HARD TO HOLD might find the experienced older horses a bit too much at this time of the season while support for the course and distance winner DOONARD PRINCE [2nd 50/1] though not getting any younger as an 11yo he did beat a huge field at Navan last season, and more likely to give a good run for your money here.
1st - NORDIC PASSAGE 14/1 [D W O'Connor]
16:30 Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Handicap (Div Two)
6f 17 Runners
The second division is no easier to call although YALE is of interest coming into his first handicap for Aiden O'Brien. Formerly trained in Britain with Amanda Perrett and Iain Jardine LIGHTNING CHARLIE appears as an 8yo, but handles himself well and wouldn't be a big shock to see him in the places. While the 3yo's could have some joy from the likes of DEVINE COVEY and LEQUINTO who finished well to win a Dundalk handicap over this trip when last seen.
1st - PARKERS HILL 18/1 [S Foley]
17:05 Kuroshio At Compas Stallions Committed Stakes (Listed)
5f 110yds 17 Runners
First of the two listed events on the card now, strong fancy for PISTOLETTO who was runner up in a Group 3 race at Newmarket when last seen and that form gives him a big shout here, while SUMMER SANDS landed the valuable 2yo Trophy at Redcar while trained by Richard Fahey and is now with JP O'Brien. Would also be very interested in the well being of WHEELS ON FIRE for a place bet having been placed in Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster so clearly a good horse well regarded by owners.
1st - PUNITA ARORA 22/1 [S Foley]
17:35 Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (Listed)
5f 110yds 11 Runners
A littler easier to view with just the eleven in the line up, BUFFER ZONE should prefer this field to the hustle and bustle of the Ayr Gold Cup, and was successful in couple of large field handicaps at the Curragh so deserves this crack at Listed class. While FOREVER IN DREAMS finished 3rd at a massive price in the Group 1 champion sprint at Ascot last year so should be a certain selection with a repeat of that form likely to be the best on offer.
1st - SCEPTICAL 3/1 [J M Sheridan]
18:05 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden (3yo)
1m 21 Runners
A massive field for the penultimate maiden event, no sign of limited field sizes here in Ireland then . Twenty one runners to choose from all 3yo fillies too, ELFIN QUEEN [Won 13/8] should be popular for the O'Brien team, while Dermot Weld has HAPARANDA who ought to be seen to better effect over further in time, and also runs TASALKA placed twice in 2yo events last year and should be very close if improving fro the extra maturity. Of the newcomers to note, SKYPASS could be the one to follow for Johnny Murtagh and an each way price today.
1st - ELFIN QUEEN 13/8f [J A Heffernan]
18:35 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (3yo)
1m 21 Runners
The finale today another big field maiden for the 3yo colts this time and EBENDI (D Weld) and NUMEN (AP O'Brien) will be two newcomers to note here. Of those that have been out on the racecourse before MASTEROFFOXHOUNDS [Won 9/2] could make best use of that experience although this is a race to take notes from rather than have a large bet in.
1st - MASTEROFFOXHOUNDS 9/2 [S Foley]
Well done to Shane Foley having a nice 4-timer this afternoon [13,218/1]
Results will appear here later during Monday afternoon. We have further racing covered on Wednesday from Pontefract and Kempton while it's just over a week till 'Royal' Ascot which will be represented here each day despite being behind closed doors and with no fashion show or royals in attendance it will just be about the horses!!
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