Conor Hogan
The first of eight races at Naas, Ireland on Sunday could not bring a harder start, as not even one of these has been seen on a racetrack before.
This is the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, and we are going to take a chance with CONOR HOGAN. Trained by Ger Lyons, he is a son of Camelot and cost connections 140,000 guineas.
He is closely related to Archangel Raphael and is a half-brother to winners by Galileo in Japan. Interesting.
Foxtrot Liv
The 2.20 Weld Park Stakes at Naas has an eight-strong field this Sunday.
The AP O’Brien trained Hermosa is the market leader with the bookies, after a third-place finish at Curragh last time out.
We see more value in Foxtrot Liv, as the 7/2 shot looked good in listed company at Leopardstown last time out.
Falcon Eight
The 2.55 Loughbrown Stakes has eight runners at Naas this Sunday. Falcon Eight catches the eye here having won both starts to date.
Quickened really well at Killarney in August to win in some style, Falcon Eight has a good chance of making it a hat-trick here.
A 3/1 shot at the moment but we think this will come in as the race nears on Sunday.
Check My Pulse
The fourth race is the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race, and CHECK MY PULSE can follow on from his success at Listowel three weeks ago.
He kept on well before asserted in the final furlong, and can act as the pace angle here once again. Andrew Slattery trains this 2yo colt, who should go close.
St. Brelades Bay
The 4.00 Renaissance Stakes at Nass catches the eye with a seven-strong field this Sunday. St Brelades Bay is our pick for an each way finish in the race.
St Brelades Bay heads to Nass in some scintillating form, with a win and two places in the last three runs.
Stepping up this time out, but on what we have seen so far is more than capable. Priced at 10/1 now looks to have a great chance again this weekend.
Dali
Should he head to the post, this could be another Ballydoyle winner through the shape of DALI, who is also entered in the previous race.
He is a C&D winner which came back in June, and has since gone up 7lbs in the weights.
He has an RPR of 105, so more is expected from this son of Scat Daddy, who is also a sister to a German 7f group winner.
Japan
I promise you, I am not wearing my Smith/Magnier/Tabor scarf, but Aiden O’Brien could have a field day at Naas on Sunday, and JAPAN shaped nicely on his second start, where he battled on gamely to win his first race at Listowel.
The feature race is the Group 2 Beresford Stakes, and there isn’t much else to fancy in the field.
A hefty purchase (1,300,000 guineas), we can expect much, much more from this 2yo, who is attempting to throw his name in the classics hat for next season.
Dance Emperor
The final race is the Remembering Nick Columb Handicap and DANCE EMPEROR can provide Jessie Harrington with a smile by taking the curtain-closer.
He was a 20/1 winner at Leopardstown in August and has not been seen since.
Has gone up 10lbs since, but has conditions in his favour and could go close again. Colm O’Donoghue rides.
