16:20 Naas – Darley Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial Stakes (Listed Race)Race Conditions:Listed race for 3-y-o fillies over 1m2f84y. Prize fund €33,000. Run on turf; going described as Good (Good to Firm in places). Field of 8 declared.

·


Strongest Contenders

Island Hopping (TFR 101p) – Aidan O’Brien’s filly shaped with clear promise on seasonal return in the Salsabil Stakes, keeping on into third behind a smart sort. She wasn’t given a hard race that day and is expected to come forward plenty. By Wootton Bassett out of a sister to Magical, she is bred to excel at this sort of trip and possibly beyond. Leading claims with that run under her belt and from a yard with a 26% strike rate at Naas since 2021.

Jaliyah (TFR 101) – Progressive filly from the Adrian Murray yard. Has won both starts this season, including a minor event last time when staying on well to assert. Well bred and continues to improve. The yard is profitable with single runners at Flat meetings (+£244.78 to £1), and her proven ability to handle a range of surfaces is a plus.

Garden Of Eden (TFR 103) – Has Listed-placed form from her juvenile season and is now down from Group 3 company. May benefit from a return to calmer waters, and this pace setup is expected to suit. However, she was well held on both comeback runs and may need to show more spark to feature prominently.


Main Dangers

Kalixa (TFR 93p) – Trained by Dermot Weld, who has won this race three times in the last 10 years (including with Tarnawa in 2019). Improved to win a maiden at Naas on reappearance (beat Mittens by ½ length), and the form could prove solid. Well-bred and open to further progress, especially now stepped up in class.

Hollys Graces (TFR 92p) – Looked a useful prospect when quickening nicely to win a maiden on debut at Dundalk last autumn. From a good family and sure to improve, but she’s been off 225 days and market support (or lack of it) will be instructive on reappearance.

Tamam Desert (TFR 94p) – Another lightly raced type who defied a long absence to win a Galway maiden on only her second start. That was over this trip and she stayed on strongly. Has potential, but off for 242 days again – watch the market.


Interesting Outsiders

Medici Venus (TFR 98) – Represents the O’Brien stable and has experience at this level. Didn’t get a clear run in the Salsabil Stakes and may be capable of better. Blinkered again here. Probably needs improvement but not one to entirely dismiss if support comes.

Gotomylovely (TFR 100) – Took a big step forward to win by six lengths at Gowran last time out and is bred to stay this trip. Slightly flattered by the run of the race that day, but if progressing again, could be a factor.


Trends and Notables

  • Trainer Trends: Joseph O’Brien has taken two of the last three renewals, but is not represented here. Aidan O’Brien has three runners and a strong historical record at Naas (26% strike rate since 2021).
  • Dermot Weld (trainer of Kalixa) won this race with Tarnawa in 2019 and is always worth noting in these Classic trials.
  • Market Watch: Both Hollys Graces (225 days off) and Tamam Desert (242 days off) return from significant layoffs. Any strength behind them in the market could be revealing.

Summary

This is a competitive Listed fillies’ trial with several still unexposed types. Island Hopping sets a fair standard based on her Salsabil Stakes third and could take a step forward here. Jaliyah and Kalixa are progressive, with the latter representing a yard with past success in this race. Hollys Graces and Tamam Desert are potential improvers, though both come off breaks. The lightly raced Gotomylovely and the more exposed Garden Of Eden offer contrasting profiles, with the latter dropping back from Group company and having the top Timeform rating.

Leave a comment

Get updates

From art exploration to the latest archeological findings, all here in our weekly newsletter.

Subscribe