18:40 Naas, Wednesday 25 June 2025
Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Jannah Rose Stakes (Group 3)

1m 2f 84y, 3yo fillies | Going: Straight – Good; Round – Good to Firm
Pace Forecast: Strong | Draw Bias: Low favoured

This Group 3 contest for three-year-old fillies features a field of 11, many stepping into pattern company for the first time. The predicted strong early pace—likely generated by prominent racers such as Barnavara and Butterfly Wings—could set things up for closers. Low draws are favoured at Naas, with the inner berths offering a positional advantage given the track’s contours.

Contenders

Barnavara (118 Timeform, Draw 1) is a proven listed winner who sets the standard. She made all to win at Navan over a mile, and while she steps up in trip, her strong front-running style and attitude are assets. Trainer Jessica Harrington has her in peak form, and stall 1 enhances tactical flexibility. She’s solid rather than spectacular but reliable.

Faiyum (108p, Draw 7) is unbeaten and open to improvement. She was comfortably on top in minor company at Killarney and Naas, and the strong pace here plays to her patiently-ridden style. Represents the in-form Ger Lyons-Colin Keane combination, and her “p” symbol underlines her scope.

Darzina (97p, Draw 2) made an encouraging debut at Gowran, quickening smartly to win and earning a “Horse in Focus” Timeform flag. She is bred to excel over this trip and further and hails from a yard (Dermot Weld) with three wins in the last ten runnings. Likely held up, she’ll need luck in running but is capable of a major step forward.

Main Dangers

And So To Bed (105, Draw 6) is back in form following a near-miss at Gowran. She’s a fair performer, possibly flattered last time in a steadily-run affair. Has form over this trip and going, and trainer Joseph O’Brien is in hot form, but stall 6 and racing style suggest she may be vulnerable late on if pace collapses.

Dawn Spirit (100, Draw 8) looked promising winning her maiden at Cork but flopped last time at Leopardstown. She stays the trip and is likely to be ridden quietly; could place if bouncing back.

Interesting Outsiders

Bonnie Moon (102, Draw 4) comes here off a wide-margin win in France but is likely better suited by longer. Returning to this trip could blunt her finishing kick, but she is interesting if the ground eases.

Butterfly Wings (99, Draw 8) has shown some ability but was well beaten in the Munster Oaks and looks vulnerable at this level, especially with her front-running style in a race featuring multiple pace pushers.

Trainer Trends

Dermot Weld (Darzina) – 3 wins in last 10 renewals.

Joseph O’Brien (And So To Bed, Dawn Spirit) – 2 wins in the same period.

Aidan O’Brien (Butterfly Wings, Medici Venus) – excellent Naas record (27% SR), though neither runner has progressed recently.


Runner Ratings out of 10 (track, trip, ground, form fit)

Barnavara – 8.5/10 – Proven, tactically sound, well drawn

Faiyum – 9/10 – Progressive, trip should suit, race setup ideal

Darzina – 8/10 – Promising, stamina-rich pedigree, inside draw ideal

And So To Bed – 6.5/10 – Honest but exposed, lacks gears

Dawn Spirit – 6/10 – Needs to bounce back, stamina edge

Butterfly Wings – 5.5/10 – Likely pace clash, Group 3 stretch

Bonnie Moon – 6/10 – Stays well but may be outpaced here

Calrissiana – 4.5/10 – Unreliable, up in grade

Bellacanta – 4/10 – Outclassed, maiden form only

Medici Venus – 5/10 – Hasn’t progressed, ground okay

Tamam Desert – 4/10 – Struggled in pattern races, stiff task


Each-Way Angles (11 runners)
Darzina holds interest as an each-way angle given her profile, draw, and upward potential. She’s likely to be ridden cold and needs luck, but the pace scenario is in her favour.

Private Tissue Estimate

Faiyum – 5/2

Barnavara – 11/4

Darzina – 13/2

And So To Bed – 8/1

Dawn Spirit – 10/1

Bonnie Moon – 14/1

Butterfly Wings – 16/1

Others – 20/1+


Summary
This Group 3 is a clash of the proven and the progressive. Barnavara has the form in the book and is well drawn to boss the race, but may face pressure up front. Faiyum has done everything right and looks a strong candidate to take this step up. Darzina is the unknown quantity but bred for the job and supported by trends and draw.

Smart Play
Win: Faiyum – Unexposed, tactically suited, upward curve
Each-Way: Darzina – Promising debut, strong yard record, potential improver