Naas - Thursday 17th September 2026
BE IN LOVE has a notable pedigree and boasts an entry in the Goffs Million later in the month. By a top sprinting sire, the selection is a sister to dual Group 1-winner Blackbeard and three other useful performers and cost 1,900,000 euros as a yearling. Pirate Anne Bonny is from Blackbeard's first crop and as such could be capable of landing a blow, while Blooming Sally showed promise at Cork on debut and can progress at this longer distance. Luca Brillante looks vulnerable to less exposed types.
SALT LAKE showed ability on debut and could take all the beating. Out of a mare who has already produced two stakes winners, the selection made the running in a competitive Curragh maiden last month and found only the subsequent National Stakes runner-up Monogram too good. Our Boy Bailey disappointed at Galway in July, but he wasn't disgraced in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot prior to that and could get involved, while Ballydoyle's Bold Commander has shown bits of form and is preferred to the newcomer Blimey.
NEW BOND STREET has leading claims back at this level. The 200,000gns breeze-up purchase finished a creditable third to the subsequent Group 3 winner Push The Boat Out in early August and Paddy Twomey's filly has since attained some black type, when placed in Listed company at the Curragh on her first attempt at the minimum trip. Abletai was narrowly beaten over C&D back in July and has every chance on these terms, while Cyclone Code is steadily improving and could make the frame.
INVINCIBLE IRISH ran with some promise when seventh at Down Royal earlier in the month and now contests an ordinary nursery. Daniel McLoughlin's juvenile has progressed with each of his three outings so far and could find significant improvement to strike. Annie Batt has run well in two of three starts at this distance and is from a useful sprinting family. She bumped into now 96-rated Grayrobin on debut and is likely to be on the premises. Summer Sent You takes a drop in trip on just her second start in a nursery and is another to note.
FERRONNIERE put in decent late work in fourth on debut in an optional claiming maiden at Navan. The three main horses in the betting finished in front of him, and the form was boosted when the runner-up came out and beat an odds-on favourite in a Galway maiden. Joseph O'Brien's Santerno is dangerous up in trip after a mid-division finish in a big-field maiden at the Curragh, while Ger Lyons often has a handle on claimers and his Cudawudashuda could be an improver in this grade. Nando Royale has a mark of 70 courtesy of a third place in an auction series maiden at Roscommon in June. He wasn't at his best on his next visit to that track, though.
ELYATTA is progressing with racing and first-time blinkers brought about improvement when second over an extended 7f at Down Royal. He races off the same mark and the headgear is retained. Golden Arizona has displayed enough in maiden company to suggest he should be in the mix for prize money. Old Joanie showed more in third when upped in trip at Killarney which gives her a chance under a useful claimer, while Highest Order hasn't featured in three maiden outings but could have a role to play on nursery debut. Thelymitra represents strong connections and it wouldn't be surprising to see her fare better in her second nursery.
The 85-rated STAR GLORY has interspersed two runner-up berths with two unplaced runs, but her last effort over C&D was solid as she chased home a useful sort. Her experience should stand to her against lightly-raced rivals and newcomers. Capital Of Pride is up in trip after a fair second over an extended 5f at this track. All of the winners in his pedigree have been over sprint trips, but he would be a big player if getting this trip. Dawnmore attracted support at Gowran Park and showed ability when keeping on for fifth, so there ought to be more to come him. Rosiliane was a pleasing fourth on debut at Down Royal and is another contender.
Plenty of big stables represented with newcomers, so a market check is essential. Donnacha O'Brien takes the wraps off Churchill filly MISS HONG KONG who could reward support. She made good money at the sales as a full-sister to a horse who won three times for the stable and holds an entry in the Goffs Million. Aidan O'Brien introduces two colts in King Cador and Vienna Waltz who merit automatic respect. Sinanli is a half-brother to a Group 3 winner and could show up well along with Raqi.
All eyes will be on Be In Love, the 1,900,000euros yearling who belatedly makes her debut. A sister to multiple Group 1 2yo scorer Blackbeard, she makes a ton of appeal on profile and is sure to be popular, but stall 1 might not be ideal on debut and it could pay to side with something with experience. Blooming Sally has that and should go well, while Endless Night can be expected to improve on her ordinary debut. The selection, though, is LUCA BRILLANTE. Although dropping to 6f may not be ideal, she ran well in a 7f Curragh handicap last time and sets a fair standard. A tongue-tie is also added now, which could really be of benefit.
This looks a good opportunity for SALT LAKE, who showed plenty over 7f on debut at the Curragh - he knew his job but was run down by the smart Monogram - and looks set to be suited by the drop to 6f here. Our Boy Bailey could prove vulnerable, with similar comments applying to Bold Commander, who looks the Ballydoyle number one on riding arrangements. That one's stablemate Bengal Tiger could leave a modest debut behind, though, with cheekpieces now applied.
This looks a good opening for NEW BOND STREET, who has actually improved as she's gone up in grade but now drops from a Listed - she finished a good third - into a Class 3 and she really ought to capitalise. Cyclone Code, an improved third at Navan, rates the danger but needs more, while the gelding operation needs to have made a difference for Abletai, who also gets a first-time hood.
ANNIE BATT has top weight but with good reason - she's run well in two attempts at Class 4 level, including when runner-up at Navan latest - and now drops into a Class 5 on handicap debut. Her opening mark seems fair. Summer Sent You, third over 7f on handicap debut, look the danger although is dropping 2f in trip. Ballymackney could go well at bigger odds with the drop to 5f looking in his favour.
A weak enough race, Nando Royale looks to set the standard but failed to run to form last time and it's Joseph O'Brien's SANTERNO who appeals most. He's dropping from Class 2 to Class 6 company and also gets a first-time tongue-tie while the step up to 8f from 6f should bring about improvement. He can get off the mark with ownermate Razmataz perhaps the main threat in a new headgear combination.
Plenty with the potential to improver here. Let's take a chance on the Juddmonte-owned HIGHEST ORDER, who has had two of his three qualifying runs at Group 1 tracks and now enters handicaps from a mark of just 69. He's related to a useful 8/9f winner and has plenty more to offer. Old Joanie, third on handicap debut at Kilbeggan, looks the danger although Elyatta is coming off an improved second tried in blinkers and could still have more to offer yet.
No stars on show here, but some solid types headed by Star Glory, who has plenty of experience and finished a good second over C&D last time. Capital Of Pride might do better now up to 7f and is respected also, but the selection is DAWNMORE, who showed plenty on his debut at Gowran Park and could build on that with a win here. Diamonds And Dames is another to consider dropping in trip from 8f.
King Cador and Vienna Waltz are a pair of respected newcomers from Ballydoyle, but it's Joseph's runner RAQI who appeals most. He's fitted with a tongue-tie on debut but is related to some good winners and should see the 7f out strongly. Completing the O'Brien them to the race, Donnacha's Miss Hong Kong is another with an appealing profile worthy of respect on debut.
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