Going: Yielding to Soft (soft in places) | Field: 11 runners
Pace Forecast: Very Weak
Draw Bias: None; all have a fair shot given the long trip and pace scenario.
Pace & Tactical Overview:
This lacks any reliable front-runner, meaning it’s highly likely to be slowly run. Those with tactical speed or who can sit handy (like Love Sonnet, Lady Kai, or Randall Poets Lass) could be better positioned than hold-up types (Tuba, Ehteyat, Atheneum). Coulstys Way and Randall Poets Lass have regularly been ridden forward but may not be good enough to capitalise tactically.
Key Contenders and Profiles:
Strongest Contender:
Ifitwasme (10) (7.5/10) – Improved to win comfortably at Listowel latest, shaping as though this trip is within range. Open to further progress, and soft ground is fine. Should stay, and Ben Coen retains the ride. Progressive and unexposed in handicaps at this trip.
Main Dangers:
Lady Kai (3) (7/10) – Consistent and genuine. Won here last summer and shaped well on return behind Inchiquin Star. Just as good on yielding/soft, and race fitness assured now. Proven and stable targets this type of race.
Love Sonnet (2) (6.5/10) – Three-year-old filly who improved last time and looked like she’d stay further. Only just getting going late at Killarney and well drawn to sit close to the lead. Promising.
Coulstys Way (11) (6.5/10) – Progressive 3yo filly who has done nothing wrong in defeat lately. She’s improving steadily and handles this ground, though drawn wide and lacks a change of gear.
Interesting Outsider:
Garrybello (1) (6/10) – Very lightly raced under rules and may have more to offer back on the Flat. Hurdling efforts were fair, and maiden form from Dundalk gives him a squeak. Big stamina test suits.
Runner Scores & Suitability:
- Ifitwasme: 7.5/10 – In-form, stays, and open to improvement. Ground ideal.
- Lady Kai: 7/10 – Reliable mare, course form, and tactically versatile.
- Love Sonnet: 6.5/10 – Improving filly, will stay, and drawn well.
- Coulstys Way: 6.5/10 – Solid profile, recent form strong, draw a concern.
- Garrybello: 6/10 – Left-field angle, could be better than mark on Flat.
- Randall Poets Lass: 5.5/10 – Well treated if bouncing back, but temperament and stamina questions remain.
- Disco Boy: 5/10 – Regressing overall; best watched.
- Tuba: 4.5/10 – Often slow into stride and lacking finishing speed.
- Atheneum: 4.5/10 – Maiden with patchy profile; not certain to stay.
- Surrey Force: 4/10 – Hasn’t shown enough in Ireland to be competitive yet.
- Ehteyat: 3.5/10 – Fully regressed and has been well beaten in weak races.
Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form stayers returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles:
With 11 runners, each-way options are viable. Lady Kai and Love Sonnet are the two with solid profiles and strong place prospects, particularly if Ifitwasme doesn’t see out the trip fully.
Private Tissue Estimate:
- Ifitwasme – 3/1
- Lady Kai – 9/2
- Love Sonnet – 11/2
- Coulstys Way – 13/2
- Garrybello – 8/1
- Randall Poets Lass – 12/1
- Tuba / Disco Boy / Atheneum – 20/1+
- Surrey Force / Ehteyat – 33/1+
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary + Smart Play:
Ifitwasme stands out as the most likely winner, having won with more in hand than the margin suggested last time. He stays, likes the ground, and is unexposed. Lady Kai appeals most as a solid each-way play due to course form, ground suitability, and tactical pace.
Smart Play:
Win Selection: Ifitwasme – Stays well, acts on soft, and is progressive.
Each-Way Saver: Lady Kai – Solid, reliable, and well suited by the track/trip.
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