14:45 Naas

Saturday 11 May 2019

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race (Plus 10)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 1m 11.66s

(1)

Red Epaulette⁴⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: L F Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| C

15/8

Half-brother to four winners including Paddy's Saltantes was a comfortable winner over 5f here in March and looked a really precocious type there. Trainer does really well with two-year-olds and this looks a very precocious sort.

Form: 1

(7)

Harpocrates

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien

7/2

Invincible Spirit colt out of a Galileo mare. Dam 1m2f winner, closely related to to 1m-1m4f 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot. Tough spot for a debutant but given connections there's every chance he makes a bold bid.

Form:

(3)

Made In Pimlico²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: B W Duke

50/1

Dragon Pulse colt, unsold as a yearling showed some ability when sixth here on debut but will need a huge step up to be competitive here.

Form: 6

(6)

Never Before¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: J P O'Brien

6/1

Son of No Nay Never (sire of Ten Sovereigns in first crop) ran well when a close second at Dundalk on debut only going down by ½L. Should come on plenty for that so respected now on turf.

Form: 2

(2)

Siskin

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons

2/1

Second foal; dam French 7f 2yo winner, half-sister to 1m4f Listed winner Barsanti and to the dam of US 8.5f-1m1f Grade 1 winner Close Hatches. Bred to want a bit further but in good hands so market check needed.

Form:

(5)

St George's Head¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D M Simmonson⁽⁷⁾| T: K P Cotter

16/1

Half-brother to Footstepsanpie, My Chocolate and Sugar Soem all successful in Italy was third of seven on debut at Dundalk (Never Before second). Will need a bit more to match that finish here.

Form: 3

(4)

Stinglikeabee

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery

33/1

Teofilo newcomer from a yard that does particularly well with two-year-olds is a half-brother to a couple of two-year-old winners so merits respect here on racecourse debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Red Epaulette (15/8), Siskin (2/1), Harpocrates (7/2), Never Before (6/1), St George's Head (16/1), Stinglikeabee (33/1), Made In Pimlico (50/1)

Obviously the 5lb penalty incurred by RED EPAULETTE leaves him a little vulnerable but he looked well above average when winning here in March and it will take a good one to beat him. All three debutants make some appeal but Ballydoyle's representative Harpocrates is the most compelling both on pedigree and trainer form with two-year-olds this season. Never Before wasn't beaten far on debut and should go well here also.