A competitive field of 15 fillies and mares lines up for Wednesday’s Listed Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes at Naas, where a strong early gallop looks likely over the stiff six furlongs.

British raider Soul Love sets the standard on form after an excellent third in the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York. Karl Burke’s progressive three-year-old had already landed a Listed contest at Goodwood earlier in the season and arrives with the strongest recent ratings in the field. Blessed with plenty of natural speed but equally effective when tracking the pace, she looks to hold leading claims if reproducing that level.

The home challenge is headed by the consistent Fregada, who has quietly built a solid profile in Pattern company. John James Feane’s filly endured an interrupted passage when fourth in a Curragh Listed race last month and is expected to appreciate another strongly run six furlongs. She rates one of the most dependable performers in the line-up.

Coconut Cove represents Roger Varian and has progressed with each start this season, producing a career-best when runner-up in the Land O’Burns Stakes at Ayr. The return to six furlongs poses an interesting question, however, as her best effort came over the minimum trip and Naas’ demanding finish could stretch her stamina.

Course form often proves valuable at Naas, bringing Tahcawin into the equation. Her third in the Group 3 Lacken Stakes over this course and distance was one of the standout Irish performances in the field, although she will need to bounce back from a lesser effort at the Curragh.

Among the bigger-priced contenders, Xerling appeals as a lively outsider. She has improved markedly in recent starts, winning her maiden before chasing home a 102-rated rival in a conditions event over five furlongs here earlier this month. If she sees out the extra furlong, she has the pace and potential to outrun her odds.

One of the more intriguing runners is Yellowstone Lake, who remains lightly raced after just four career starts. Trained by Paddy Twomey, she switches back to sprinting and is fitted with first-time cheekpieces after a disappointing seasonal return. With her profile suggesting there could be more to come, she is capable of taking a sizeable step forward.

Several habitual front-runners, including Soul Love, Xerling and Sarahmae, ensure that the race should be run at a genuine tempo. That promises to reward those able to settle just behind the speed before delivering a late challenge up Naas’ testing finish.

Prediction: Soul Love can confirm herself a high-class sprinter by adding another Listed success. Fregada looks the chief danger, while Xerling is taken to run a big race at rewarding odds. Yellowstone Lake is respected as the race’s most interesting improver.

Predicted 1-2-3:

1. Soul Love
2. Fregada
3. Xerling