The fillies’ maiden at Tipperary on Wednesday afternoon doesn’t look like a particularly strong event and Alessia Fernanda appears to have found a nice opportunity.
She is still lightly raced after just five career outings to date and has run well in a couple of handicaps this season.
The Starspangledbanner filly was a solid third in a competitive event at Leopardstown 12 days ago and those runs against more experienced rivals will surely stand her in good stead now.
With an official mark of 69 she’s top-rated in this nine-furlong contest now and it looks a fairly moderate race.
The 65-rated Jeaniemacaroney looks the danger with Hugh Horgan taking 5lb off her back.
She was a decent fourth when tried back on the level at Cork eight days ago and should be thereabouts again.
The fact that she is still maiden over jumps and on the Flat after 12 runs would be a slight concern.
Ryan Moore is in action again today at ‘Limerick junction’ and Hunting Song is an interesting newcomer in the opening five-furlong maiden.
The No Nay Never colt is full-brother to a decent sort in The Irish Rover, who was Group One-placed for the yard a few years ago.
Hunting Song holds an entry for the Group Two Railway Stakes late next month which is an encouraging sign.
Later on the card, Ephesus looks to have strong claims for Moore and Aidan O’Brien in the mile-and-a-half maiden.
The Galileo gelding has been placed on both starts to date, most recently when chasing home Mina Rashid over this trip at Chester 19 days ago.
He holds an entry in Group Two company at Royal Ascot next month and has shown enough to give him the winning of a maiden of this standard.
Invention sets the standard here off a mark of 86. He ran well in handicap company at Leopardstown last time but may not have the same scope for improvement as Ephesus.
Ger O’Leary has his string in fine form and Giuseppe Cassioli appeals in the seven-furlong handicap.
The Bated Breath gelding ran well, despite pulling hard, when third on his comeback at Leopardstown 12 days ago.
A run under his belt will have knocked off some freshness and he should run a big race now despite going up a couple of pounds for that performance.
SELECTIONS
2.03 Hunting Song
2.33 Dr Ali
3.03 Giuseppe Cassioli
3.33 Alessia Fernanda (Nap)
4.03 So Messi
4.33 Ephesus (Dbl)
5.08 Forlio
