17:25 Navan

Monday 24 April 2017

All16:2516:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

Woodlands Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:27 | Winning time: 1m 0.18s

(9)

Ardhoomey^t¹⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 112

11/2

Beat Washington DC in group 2 last term and has won twice before at this track. Tends to go very well fresh so absence no issue. Big chance despite big weight.

Form: 45610-2

(7)

Downforce²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 111

7/2

Routed opposition in Cork listed race last time out and clearly in tremendous heart. May have been flattered by heavy ground that day though and faces much quicker conditions this time. Still remains one to keep on right side.

Form: 04513-1

(2)

Spirit Quartz²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: C P Hoban| T: Barry J Murphy| OR: 103

25/1

Veteran speedster having first start for new connections. Handles any ground and can't be discounted despite disappointing last time, but other do make more appeal.

Form: 1-00674

(10)

Washington Dc^t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110

2/1

Very classy sprinter finished runner-up in Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye at Chantilly at end of last term. Looks sort to do well this campaign. Runs well fresh and market should indicate if he's 'expected' on seasonal return.

Form: 227-712

(5)

Maarek²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: Miss E McCutcheon| OR: 104

20/1

Grand sort. Veteran sprinter ideally suited by some give underfoot. Not force of old but ran well when third in handicap on seasonal return. May find a few too quick in this company these days.

Form: 8407-35

(8)

Primo Uomo^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: N G McCullagh| T: G O'Leary| OR: 103

7/2

Progressive handicapper on a four-timer but stepping up to take on much stronger opposition than ever before. Not totally ruled out but needs to find another 7lb improvement to trouble the judge.

Form: 931-113

(4)

Smash Williams¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 105

8/1

Group 3 winner as a juvenile but raced just three times last season without success. May bo better this term and any market interest would be worth noting.

Form: 113/5-48

(6)

Taexali^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: J P Shanahan| OR: 93

66/1

Formerly trained in both England and Dubai. Ran a fair race when fourth at Musselburgh last time for new connections and should improve for that, but looks outclasssed on balance of form to date.

Form: 796462

(1)

Yulong Baobei²⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S Foley| T: M Halford| OR: 103

9/1

Speedy juvenile last term with a touch of class. Big ask however going up against some smart sprinting opposition here on first run back, but connections are very much respected.

Form: 12713-

Non-Runners

(3)

Easton Angel²⁴⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: A P O'Brien J: D O'Brien

Forecasts

Washington Dc (2/1), Easton Angel (3/1), Primo Uomo (7/2), Downforce (7/2), Ardhoomey (11/2), Smash Williams (8/1), Yulong Baobei (9/1), Maarek (20/1), Spirit Quartz (25/1), Taexali (66/1)

A cracking sprint. Narrow preference is for EASTON ANGEL to make a winning debut for the Ballydoyle team. She has a perfect first time out record and is taken to get the better of stable companion Washington DC in what should be a fine contest. The latter is a class act and is expected to take high rank this season. Ardhoomey, Downforce and Primo Uomo are progressive sprinters and cannot be ruled out, while the three-year-old Yulong Baobei appears to be well regarded and is another to add spice to the mix.