Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 1m 49.73s

(2)

Cycladic

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington

5/2

Homebred who is the dam's first foal. Dam was a winner between 1m2f and 1m4f and is a half-sister to 1m2f Listed winner Unnefer and 1m4f Mount Popa. Also closely related to Derby winner Kris Kin and yard are in strong form at present. Contender.

Form:

(6)

High Heels¹⁰

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

3/1

Coolmore homebred. Made no significant impression on debut start when 9L last of nine at the Curragh (7f) in late June. That looked a strong maiden however and this is an easier contest. Not to be discounted.

Form: 9

(3)

Malaysian

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Madden| T: Mrs J Harrington

11/2

27,000 gns yearling. Dam was a winner over 6f and is a full sister to 1m1f AW winner London Master. Closely related to top performer Mastercraftsman. Looks to be stable's second string on jockey bookings for this however.

Form:

(5)

Shale¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien

5/2

Bred to be top-class, being by Galileo out of 2012 English 1000 Guineas winner. Didn't fare badly on debut albeit beaten 4L into sixth at Leopardstown (7f, good) last month. Should be suited better by this trip and holds leading claims.

Form: 6

(1)

Speedy Pix¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: T G McCourt

125/1

Cheap purchase as a two-year-old and never really got into debut effort when breaking slowly and racing keenly to finish 34L last of 15 at Roscommon (7f, yielding) last month. Has plenty to find even in a lesser contest like this.

Form: 0

(4)

Umneyaat

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld

6/1

Dansili filly who is a first foal out of and unraced dam. Closely related to smart types, including Group 2 winner Tarfasha, Irish Derby second Galileo Rock and half-sister to 2m2f Group 2 winner Saddler's Rock. Market check required.

Form:

Forecasts

Shale (5/2), Cycladic (5/2), High Heels (3/1), Malaysian (11/2), Umneyaat (6/1), Speedy Pix (125/1)

A small but select field go to post for this maiden contest and preference is for Donnacha O'Brien to notch another juvenile winner with SHALE. The filly did take the eye on debut but probably lacked the natural speed for the 7f trip and her pedigree suggests that this trip should be within her optimum. Umneyaat certainly has a pedigree that takes the eye being related to various pattern stakes winners and given she holds an entry in the Moyglare Stud Stakes later this season, is likely to be held in high regard, while another debutante in Cycladic represents a trainer who has notched some first-time out juvenile winners already this season so is expected to be ready.