Audi Naas Nursery Handicap

2YO only | 7f | Good (Yielding in places) | 6 Runners | Turf

(1)

Tradewinds²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 10-3| J: Paddy Harnett⁽³⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 85

4/1

€220,000 Wootton Bassett colt. Well backed in first-time cheekpieces when close third on nursery debut at the Curragh but found life tougher in maiden company there (6f) last time. This longer trip should prove within range, and he's likely to make more impact back in a nursery,

Form: 532330

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(6)

Banks Of The Boyne⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-11| J: Wesley Joyce⁽³⁾| T: M Mulvany| OR: 79| D

9/2

Best effort to date when runner-up on nursery debut at Galway (7f, soft) in late-July. Didn't need to run close to that level to get off the mark in a Leopardstown maiden last time, making all for ¾-length victory. Entitled to make a bold bid back in a small-field nursery.

Form: 802241

(2)

Luca Brillante¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 78

2/1

Well-bred filly who progressed gradually in maidens, beaten only a neck in a very ordinary event at Roscommon on qualifying run (7.5f, good). Opening mark demands more, however, her entry in the Group 1 Moyglare suggests she's thought capable of better.

Form: 672

(3)

Margot Mae⁵¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-10| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 78

5/2

115,000 gns Starspangledbanner filly. Posted easily her best effort in maidens when a close third at Leopardstown (7f, soft) second time up, splitting a now-useful Ballydoyle pair. On an attractive mark for nursery debut, with the forecast rain likely to suit on return from 7-week break.

Form: 637

(5)

Elyatta^t1²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 63

13/2

Best effort in maidens when mid-field at Roscommon on sole outing at 7f. Sports a tongue strap now switched to a nursery and opening mark leaves him with plenty of improvement to find.

Form: 089

(4)

Exchange Student²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-7| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁷⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 55

14/1

Finished closer than previously (despite being caught with no cover) when 5½ lengths fifth on nursery debut at Sligo (6f). Tough ask from 6 lb out of the handicap, with 7f under these conditions probably not ideal for this free-going filly.

Form: 7004

Forecasts

Banks Of The Boyne (9/4), Luca Brillante (11/4), Tradewinds (3/1), Margot Mae (6/1), Exchange Student (10/1), Elyatta (12/1)

MARGOT MAE seems set to be suited by the conditions and is weighted to make a winning nursery debut. The forecast rain shouldn't inconvenience Banks Of The Boyne, either, and he looks the most likely danger. Expensive colt Tradewinds is another to consider tackling 7f for the first time.