It was a strong contest in which It’sonlyjustbegun made her handicap debut last time and she can step forward at Navan on Saturday afternoon.
The Jessica Harrington-trained filly finished fourth behind Sumptuary Law at Roscommon 11 days ago and there were plenty of positives to take from that effort.
She missed the kick that day but stayed on nicely in the closing stages in a competitive contest.
The handicapper has left her on the same mark of 73 and there looks to be more to come from the daughter of Churchill on just her fifth career outing.
Keithen Kennedy taking 4lb off in this apprentice contest is another plus and she seems to tick a lot of boxes.
It is another decent event with three coming into the race in winning form.
Blue Soul gained reward for her consistency when scoring at Tipperary ten days ago and could be a leading player again despite a 6lb rise for that victory.
The other recent winners, Explorers Way and Razdan, are more exposed and may not have the same scope to follow up after their rises.
The preceding conditions race over the same 10-furlong trip is the best race on the card and The Equator looks like the class act in the six-runner field.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge takes a drop in class now having run with plenty of credit to finish fifth in Group Two company at Royal Ascot on his last outing.
The Galileo gelding stayed on without troubling his stablemate Illinois and off his official mark of 101 he sets a high standard now.
Naval Force is another coming from a run in Ascot that has to be considered despite having a bit to find on ratings with the Ballydoyle horse.
Another horse who could prove a cut above his rivals is Betsen in the maiden over the extended five furlongs.
The Jack Davison-trained colt wasn’t beaten far despite only having one behind in Listed company at Naas on his last outing.
He had only lost out by a head to the smart Givemethebeatboys at the same level here on his previous run and that sets a very high standard now.
This is a much easier task and his price will likely reflect that.
The opening two-year-old race looks more open and the Emmet Mullins-trained Dandy Magic gets the vote.
She encountered some traffic problems on her debut at Naas and showed plenty when finishing fourth to Merrily. With that experience under her belt she looks capable of striking now.
SELECTIONS
1.52 Dandy Magic
2.27 Betsen
3.02 Mark’s One
3.37 Only Spoofing
4.10 The Equator (Dbl)
4.45 It’sonlyjustbegun (Nap)
5.20 Doctor Grace
