Naas plays host to two Listed contests on Wednesday evening, with the Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes kicking things off at 18:30. With a highly competitive field set to line up, we’ve run through each of the twelve runners and provided our runner by runner guide to the Listed event below, alongside an exclusive offer from Sky Bet, who are offering up to £30 In Free Bets, when you sign up and place ANY bet.
Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes (5f 205y, 18:30 pm Wednesday)
Sacred Bridge (Ger Lyons, Colin Keane)
Two from two over this course and distance, including when landing the valuable Ballyhane Stakes as a two-year-old last season. Thrived last season winning four of her five starts and ran with plenty of credit on seasonal return this campaign when finishing fourth in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown behind subsequent Irish 1,000 Guineas hero Homeless Songs. Well below her best when finishing down the field in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month but did win a Listed contest on her penultimate start at Cork defeating a subsequent Group 2 winner in the process and is an obvious contender back markedly down in class.
Camdeboo (Joseph O’Brien, Declan McDonogh)
Has only managed to get her head in front once in her eight starts to date, that sole victory coming on her second outing at Cork back in April last year over seven furlongs. Struggled for consistency in her subsequent starts and was readily brushed aside in Listed and Group 3 company that same season. Didn’t appear to be on the cusp of regaining the winning thread when weakening out of contention at the Curragh on her seasonal return back in May and would be a surprise winner despite the current form of the yard (15-56 26%).
Measure Of Magic (Johnny Murtagh, Ben Coen)
Yet to score in her four previous starts at this track, but has some very respectable form to her name. Landed back-to-back Listed contests at Navan and Cork last season before running a mighty race at Royal Ascot, finishing third behind Dragon Symbol and American raider Campanelle in the 2021 Commonwealth Cup. Failed to justify strong market support in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh on her following outing but rounded her three-year-old season off with a much-improved effort at six furlongs when chasing home Art Power in the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes at that course. Hard to be blown away by her three starts in the Listed company this term however, and could be set to struggle against a few of these.
Amirat Alward (William McCreery, Nathan Crosse)
Successful on her final start for Richard Hughes last November and didn’t take long for her to make an impact for new connections on her second start on Irish soil, taking a Listowel handicap in decent style off a mark of 76 last month. Failed to back that effort up when taking on Listed opposition for the first time at Carlisle two starts back before folding tamely at Fairyhouse when last seen. Plenty to prove at this level and probably best to look elsewhere.
Ano Syra (John Feane, Kevin Manning)
Rapidly improving filly who has now won three of her last four starts in handicap company. Started the season with a cosy success over this course and distance from a mark of 73 before following up with back-to-back victories at the Curragh, including the valuable Rockingham Handicap last month from a mark of 91. Steps up into Listed company for the very first time on Wednesday evening, but is certainly a sprinter well and truly on the up and she is certainly not to be underestimated in search of her fifth career victory, especially with Kevin Manning returning to the saddle (record of 2 from 3 when on board).
Beautiful Sunshine (Adrian Murray, Rossa Ryan)
Highly tried as a juvenile when trained by George Boughey. Recorded novice victories at Windsor and Sandown before being sent to contest the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last season. Yet to get her head in front in seven outings for her new yard, but her latest efforts have been far more encouraging. Finished second and third at the Curragh in handicap company earlier this year and was far from disgraced when finishing fourth in the Listed Dash Stakes on her latest start. Jockey Rossa Ryan returns to the saddle and she could outrun her odds if taking a step forward following her latest effort.
Contarelli Chapel (Aidan O’Brien, Wayne Lordan)
Attracted notable support when thumping her nine rivals by five and a half lengths in a maiden contest over course and distance back in April last year. Created a big impression that day but was unable to confirm her debut promise when turned over at prohibitive odds on her final start at two over the same track and trip, finding little for pressure and ultimately finishing fourth in a field that included Gavin Cromwell’s subsequent Queen Mary Stakes winner Quick Suzy. Returned from a 321-day break in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown earlier this year but was unable to land a blow and was eased up in the hands of Ryan Moore passing the line. Obviously has the ability to play a role if rediscovering some of her earlier form, however, she comes with plenty of risks attached at this stage and it’s difficult to know how she will perform.
Funchal (William McCreery, Billy Lee)
Still unexposed after just two starts and certainly looked one to keep on side when making a winning debut at Cork just last month, finishing off strongly over five furlongs to comfortably see off the challenge of a subsequent winner in De Velara. Faced a difficult task on her second start when lining up against strong opposition in a minor event at Tipperary last time out, but ran well above market expectations to finish third behind rivals rated 99 and 96. Lacks the obvious experience of some of these but it’s interesting to see connections enter her in Listed company on just her third start on track and the step up to six furlongs could unlock further improvement.
Pirate Jenny (Ger Lyons, Gary Carroll)
Lightly-raced after just five starts and followed up her maiden success at Cork last September with a cosy victory at the Curragh on her seasonal reappearance (Beautiful Sunshine back in second). Narrowly denied by a short head on her first start in Listed company at Cork last month but was a shade disappointing when finishing down the field on her latest start in the Listed Dash Stakes at the Curragh. Clearly has the ability to play a role in the finish but will have to prove that her penultimate effort was not just a flash in the pan.
Prettiest (Aidan O’Brien, Seamie Heffernan)
Failed to add to her opening success at Navan last season in four starts, however, those efforts in defeat came at the highest level, including the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh. Returned this campaign with a creditable second behind Henry de Bromhead’s Star Girls Aalmal at Gowran Park but has failed to build on that effort in her recent outing since, finishing well beaten on her last three starts against Listed opposition. Represents top connections but is hardly one for maximum faith given her 1 from 10 strike rate and others are preferred on this occasion.
Red Lacewing (Fozzy Stack, Andrew Slattery)
Successful at this track as a two-year-old on just her second start but has failed to find the winner’s enclosure in six subsequent starts. Was no match for Sacred Bridge in the Listed Polonia Stakes at Cork back in May but has seemingly improved in her latest two outings on track. Built on her runner-up effort in handicap company on her penultimate start with a decent effort in first-time blinkers in listed company at Ayr last month over the minimum trip, travelling powerfully for the majority of the contest before finishing fifth – beaten two lengths at the line. Sole try at six furlongs resulted in a creditable fourth in this grade at Newmarket last season and although blinkers are left off for Wednesday’s assignment, she could go well at a double-figure price.
Sablonne (Jessica Harrington, Shane Foley)
Clearly has a liking for this track and trip, with both of her two victories coming over course and distance. Finished a distant ninth of ten on her return to action at the Curragh back in June but certainly took a sizeable step forward following her reappearance, displaying a determined attitude to see off her rivals at Naas in handicap company last time out. Steps back into Listed company on Wednesday evening but was highly tried as a two-year-old last season and connections clearly think she is capable of landing a race at this level at some stage.
Big Race Verdict
With a perfect 2 from 2 record over course and distance and some notable form in the book, it’s difficult to see past Ger Lyons’ SACRED BRIDGE in this Listed contest. The Bated Breath filly went from strength to strength last season as a two-year-old winning four of her five starts and has already shown that she retains plenty of ability this term. Two lengths behind Dermot Weld’s Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs in April, she then went on to defeat a subsequent Group 2 winner in Ladies Church when reverting to sprinting at Cork the following month. Unable to land a blow in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month, the talented three-year-old takes a marked drop in class on Wednesday evening and is clearly the one they all have to beat. With question marks surrounding Aidan O’Brien’s Contarelli Chapel, Red Lacewing and Ano Syra can fight it out for the minor honours.
- SACRED BRIDGE
- Red Lacewing
- Ano Syra
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Bet 5p Get £30 In Free Bets
See reviews Join today18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs Apply. gambleaware.org