15:20 Naas

Saturday 11 May 2019

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

Irish National Stud Racing Irish EBF Blue Wind Stakes (Fillies' Group 3)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 2m 14.7s

(7)

Magnolia Springs³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: W J Lee| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 92| D

20/1

British raider's career highlight came when winning a 1m2f Newbury Listed race last May. Struggled subsequently however and also well held in France on return. Others preferred.

Form: 6/4176-6

(1)

Who's Steph⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 108| C

8/11

Dual Group Three scorer at three was second on reappearance before hacking up by 8L in a Gowran Listed race latest. On the cusp of being Group Two or even One class and will take plenty of beating here.

Form: 1172-21

(5)

Chablis¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Gary Halpin| T: A P O'Brien

20/1

Galileo filly who cost 1,550,000 gns as a yearling made a winning start over 7f at Gowran last year but was disappointing on return when last of 10 behind Oaks favourite Pink Dogwood. One of four for Ballydoyle.

Form: 1-0

(6)

Credenza⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K K Hennessy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 95

25/1

Galileo filly won a Cork handicap last season before a third in this class at Navan. Returned with a sixth in the Listed Salsabil Stakes over 1m2f before finishing third to Whos' Steph beaten 9¾L. One of lesser O'Brien runners here.

Form: 3313-63

(4)

Delphinia⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: S M Crosse| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 91

14/1

Galileo filly out of Irish 1000 Guineas winner Again. Off the mark at the third time of asking in a Galway maiden on soft ground in October but well held on return at Naas when sixth of nine. Stable's Peach Tree a better option.

Form: 071-6

(2)

Peach Tree²⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

7/2

Listed winner/ Group Three second at two and bred to be better still this year over middle distances. Certainly the danger to Who's Steph and with the three-year-old allowance she could well prove too string for that rival.

Form: 518201-

(3)

Tarnawa¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 98| D

4/1

1m2f Leopardstown winner first time out this season and ran an excellent race next when third to Oaks favourite Pink Dogwood at Navan beaten just 1¾L. Enters the reckoning on that effort.

Form: 322-13

Forecasts

Who's Steph (8/11), Peach Tree (7/2), Tarnawa (4/1), Delphinia (14/1), Chablis (20/1), Magnolia Springs (20/1), Credenza (25/1)

A smart performer at three, WHO'S STEPH looked like a filly who could prove effective at the very top level when absolutely hacking up in a Gowran Listed race latest and she can prove too strong for the three-year-olds here despite giving them a stone. Peach Tree looks the pick of the O'Brien quartet on jockey bookings and form and is a big danger given she would receive just 4lb from the selection in a handicap. Tarnawa has improved plenty in two races this season and also merits respect.