17:30 Sligo

Wednesday 7 August 2024

All17:0017:3018:0018:3219:0219:3220:02

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 2m 25.34s

(6)

Beechwood²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: W J Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 93| D

7/4

11/5 and hooded for 1st time, first run since leaving John S. O'Donoghue when second of 4 in minor event at Killarney (8.1f, good to firm) 23 days ago, unsuited by drop in trip. Back up in distance for this handicap debut and she merits respect.

Form: 216-462

(2)

La Dame Blanche¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: W Ross| OR: 84

4/1

Two wins from 4 runs this year. Career best when winning 8-runner handicap at Ballinrobe (12.8f, good to soft, 7/2) 16 days ago. 5 lb rise fair and drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue, so she's one to consider.

Form: 20-2181

(7)

No Niki No^p1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: Eoghan O'Neill| OR: 83

7/2

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. Creditable second of 6 in handicap (9/2) at Down Royal (13f, good) 19 days ago, no match for winner. Cheekpieces back on and each-way chance off the same mark.

Form: 80-4022

(5)

First Snow Moon^h³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Carroll| T: Michael W O'Meara| OR: 79

25/1

Hooded for 1st time, ninth of 11 in handicap at Roscommon (10.3f, good to firm, 50/1) 36 days ago, hampered. Looks up against it.

Form: 4340-89

(4)

Solar Breeze⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: James Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: Daniel McLoughlin| OR: 78| D

7/1

Fifth of 8 in handicap at Down Royal (10.3f, good, 16/1) 46 days ago. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 09-2065

(1)

Letiza^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: Thomas Dowling| OR: 73

20/1

Below form seventh of 16 in handicap at Leopardstown (8f, good, 16/1) 27 days ago, racing closer to pace than ideal. Significantly back up in trip and she's certainly not without hope.

Form: 70-0957

(3)

Shavasi²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 79

9/2

Thrice-raced winner. Won 9-runner maiden at Killarney (8.1f, good to firm, 6/4) 22 days ago, driven out. Back up in trip for this handicap debut and improvement on the cards.

Form: 831

Forecasts

Beechwood (7/4), No Niki No (7/2), La Dame Blanche (4/1), Shavasi (9/2), Solar Breeze (7/1), Letiza (20/1), First Snow Moon (25/1)

SHAVASI has progressed with each of her three starts to date, most recently opening her account in a 1m Killarney maiden, and she may well find the necessary improvement to follow up on this handicap debut. She may have most to fear from fellow handicap debutante Beechwood, who chased home a potentially smart colt over the aforementioned C&D last month and her mark could be a fair one. La Dame Blanche is third choice, though both Letiza and No Niki No also have claims in a competitive contest.