I thought Basil Martini made a pleasing debut, despite being a beaten favourite when finishing second over 6 furlongs at Fairyhouse on July 6th.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner shaped as though this step up to 7 furlongs would suit, and I think with the benefit of that debut experience can open up her account at the second time of asking.
In Ecstasy is two victories from three starts on the all weather at Dundalk. He was last seen finish fourth (a little over 7 lengths behind the Ger Lyon’s trained Juncture) in the Listed Patton Stakes at Dundalk in early March.
In Ecstasy hasn’t been seen running on grass since beating only two home on debut at Gowran Park last September, but if he can transfer his best all weather form to the turf, I think with a handicap mark of 88, In Ecstasy should be in the mix for the trainer/jockey combination of Joseph O’Brien and Declan McDonogh.
At the time of writing Shartash is as big as 10/1 which is outrageous! I think 5/1 or bigger underestimates the chances of the Johnny Murtagh trained son of Invincible Spirit.
He’s two victories from three starts, which include his last time out success over course and distance in the Group 2 Railway Stakes, where he had Blackbeard a short head behind in second.
Shartash will have to improve, however last time out, he had momentum checked on numerous occasions approaching the closing stages but when he got an opening, the acceleration was immediate.
