14:40 Naas

Sunday 19 May 2019

All13:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Owenstown Stud Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 28.02s

(2)

Chessman⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: O J Orr| T: R O'Brien| OR: 101| D

7/2

97-rated handicapper last season for Archie Watson winning one of his 12 starts. Stepped up considerably on his stable debut when a career-best Listed second over 5.5f at Navan. These conditions suit further and rates a leading player.

Form: 500P-62

(1)

King's Field¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| D

3/1

Proving progressive in a couple of AW handicaps at Dundalk over the winter and not disgraced in a valuable Meydan handicap back in January. Yet to race on ground faster than good but looks the type to improve again this campaign.

Form: 11621-9

(6)

Settle For Bay¹²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: W J Lee| T: D Marnane| OR: 106| D

7/1

Progressive type early last year culminating in a fine success in the Royal Hunt Cup. Looked well up to this level but struggled in a Group 3 and a valuable handicap on return at Meydan in January. The one to beat if bouncing back.

Form: 1/141-08

(5)

Texas Rock^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Robbie Colgan| T: M C Grassick| OR: 94| CD

20/1

Last win came in 2017 in a 6f Listed contest on soft ground. Not disgraced in a Group 3 two starts back over this C&D but his other three runs haven't suggested he's about to end that run. Would prefer a softer surface.

Form: 90-0366

(3)

Surrounding^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 97| D

5/1

Ended 2018 in terrific form and gained breakthrough Listed success at Dundalk in October. Shaped much better for a run when third in Listed Heritage Stakes over a mile and not inconvenienced by drop in trip. Should be involved again.

Form: 0311-23

(8)

Annie Fior¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Colin Keane| T: B A Murphy| OR: 87| D

20/1

Has enjoyed a busy year with nine starts already and enjoying a fine run of progressive form in handicaps winning three of her last four. Would prefer some juice in the ground and a step up to this class requires big improvement.

Form: 861121

(4)

Rionach¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: L F Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 101| D

3/1

Bounced back to form with a career-best third in the Group 3 Athasi Stakes when switching to front-running tactics and dropped to this trip. Headed late there and she handles this quicker ground. Likely to make a bold bid and prove hard to pass.

Form: 1329-93

(7)

Wisdom Mind^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Gary Halpin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 85

25/1

Sole win came in a Curragh maiden but proving consistent for this yard and returned with an improved second to Annie Fior at Gowran Park. Should be better for the run but on the ratings a step up to this level requires big progress.

Form: 30645-2

Forecasts

King's Field (3/1), Rionach (3/1), Chessman (7/2), Surrounding (5/1), Settle For Bay (7/1), Texas Rock (20/1), Annie Fior (20/1), Wisdom Mind (25/1)

Royal Ascot winner Settle For Bay sets the standard on last year's success and much will revolve around whether he can return to that level following his visit to Meydan. It may pay to stick with RIONACH who will be suited by these conditions and there was a lot to like about her front-running Group 3 third this month. Surrounding rates a danger and looks to be coming to the boil nicely off the back of a third at this level. Chessman and King's Field are both improving types and should be up to this level this campaign.