Race Shape & Angles:

• Pace: Likely to be even but not strong. Aidan O’Brien has three entries (Circle Of Life, Savile Row, Ice Dancer), one of which could be asked to force the pace. Shadow Run and Trustmore also have speedy pedigrees that could ensure some tempo.
• Draw: Over 7f at the Curragh, middle-to-low is traditionally fine, with extremes (1 & high teens) often depending on pace. Here, Circle Of Life (stall 1) and Shadow Run (stall 13) could be tested by position.

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Strongest Contenders

Circle Of Life (A P O’Brien, Dubawi x Athena) – Proven pedigree

• Brother to Group-class 2yo winners Never Ending Story & Navy Seal. Dam an Irish Oaks family, herself a G1 winner in the US.
• By Dubawi, a leading sire of 2yo Group performers.
• From Ballydoyle’s first-string type profile in these Curragh maidens.
  Score: 9/10

Savile Row (A P O’Brien, No Nay Never x Mission Secrete) – Expensive, sharp pedigree

• 400,000gns yearling, half-brother to Group horses over 8f–12f but from a Guineas-winning family.
• By No Nay Never, sire of many precocious types who win 7f maidens here.
• Looks a “go day” type for Ballydoyle.
  Score: 8.5/10

Ice Dancer (A P O’Brien, filly, Wootton Bassett x Lugnaquilla) – Well-bred filly against colts

• Full-sister to Serious Contender (Irish Derby 2nd, RPR 116).
• Family of Cliffs Of Moher, stamina-rich Galileo cross.
• Likely to need further, but class edge possible even at 7f.
  Score: 7.5/10

Lauda (Joseph O’Brien, Wootton Bassett x A New Dawn) – Progressive sire-line

• Dam was a Group-placed juvenile.
• Strong mix of speed/stamina, sire has already produced top-class 2yo’s.
• Yard often has debut winners at Curragh maidens.
  Score: 7/10

Take Charge Star (J P Murtagh, Starspangledbanner x Freedonia) – Expensive, proven family

• €300k yearling, half-brother to Albigna (Group 1 Moyglare winner).
• Family loaded with class – dam a G2 winner at 12f, but siblings fast/precocious.
• Trainer/jockey combo strong in maidens.
  Score: 7.5/10

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Main Dangers / Interesting Outsiders

• Shadow Run (M D O’Callaghan, Mehmas colt) – cost 140k gns, half-brother to Group-winning sprinter Caturra. Sharp family, but draw in 13 could force wide trip. 6.5/10
• Nil Bua Gan Dua (Joseph O’Brien, American Pharoah colt) – 160k 2yo buy, dam only placed but US turf mile family. Could be more of a project. 6/10
• Resurgence (Mrs J Harrington, Too Darn Hot colt) – First foal of Listed-placed mare, sire getting smart 2yo’s, but Harrington’s debutants usually improve plenty for the run. 6.5/10
• Vidmiyr (J P Murtagh, Footstepsinthesand colt) – Aga Khan family, stamina influence, probably wants further than 7f. 5.5/10

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Lesser Chances

• Ciarrai Abu (Study Of Man gelding) – stamina pedigree, dam 1m winner but family stays further. Looks more long-term. 5/10
• Daring Heart (Kodi Bear colt) – family winners lower level, sire’s stock more sprint/mile types, but yard rarely first-time winners. 5/10
• Thread Of Gold (W P Mullins, Ghaiyyath gelding) – Flat-bred but from NH yard, more likely educational. 4.5/10
• Trustmore (Sioux Nation colt) – pacey sire but dam’s side stamina-heavy, trainer not known for juvenile winners. 5/10
• Starfinch (Mehmas filly, Harrington) – Mehmas gives 2yo speed but dam was a middle-distance Group winner; may need further. 5.5/10

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Private Tissue Odds (Raceform View)

• Circle Of Life 3/1
• Savile Row 4/1
• Take Charge Star 11/2
• Ice Dancer 6/1
• Lauda 7/1
• Resurgence 10/1
• Shadow Run 10/1
• Nil Bua Gan Dua 12/1
• Others 14/1+

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Summary & Smart Play

This maiden is typically a launching pad for Group-class Ballydoyle horses. Circle Of Life brings the most striking pedigree, out of Athena, and has the profile of a colt expected to win first time. Savile Row looks the sharp, No Nay Never type who could be more immediate, while Take Charge Star and Ice Dancer are dangers from powerful families.

Smart Play:

• Win bet: Circle Of Life – best pedigree for 7f debut, strong yard signals.
• Each-way saver: Take Charge Star – top family, expensive buy, yard/jockey strong with juveniles.