VERHOYEN bids to get off the mark at Fairyhouse on Thursday evening after narrowly missing out in Listed company last time.
The Michael Grassick-trained colt ran a cracker to chase home True Blue Moon in the Rochestown Stakes at Naas 12 days ago, going on strongly at the finish to be beaten half-a-length.
He drops back to maiden company now in this €20k Foran Equine Auction Maiden and looks the obvious one to beat in the six-furlong contest.
The son of Piccolo had been fifth in a similar contest won by Beckford at the Curragh previously and the form of that race has worked out particularly well.
Reopposing now is Red Persian, who ran a fine race to finish second that day on his debut, for Patrick Prendergast.
More patient tactics seemed to work better for Verhoyen last time and it will be interesting to see if he can turn around that form having shown improvement when stepped up in grade. Nicely in at the weights too.
Gordon Elliott has already struck with his first juvenile runner this season, Beckford, and it will be interesting to see how he fares here as he saddles two in the race.
Kyllachy colt Only William's dam is a half-sister to Listed scorer Adaala, who is also the grand-dam of Awtaad.
He is also represented by Rock Of Gibraltar filly Smiling Eliza, who is closely related to Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Samitar. Her dam is a half-sister while she shares the same sire.
The 103-rated Noivado sets a good standard in the six-furlong three-year-old conditions event. Ger Lyons' charge has already been placed in Listed company this season, when narrowly denied at Dundalk in the Patton Stakes.
He didn't make any impression behind stablemate Doctor Geoff at Naas last month in the Tetrarch Stakes but wasn't beaten far at the end and should make most of a drop in grade now.
The potential improver in the field looks to be Solar Halo, who enjoys a 8lb pull at the weights with Noivado. She finished well to get up on the line in a competitive handicap at the Curragh on her return and there looks plenty more to come from the Willie McCreery-trained filly. Having tested the waters at Group Three level as a juvenile she is obviously well regarded and may be capable of moving on to better things.
There is another auction maiden on the card over six furlongs, this one for three and four-year-olds.
Modest enough stuff with a maximum field but there are at least a half-dozen with chances all rated in the mid-to-low 70s including Guardia Svizzera (hooded for the first time), Tenth Amendment, Idyllic Acrylic (well in front of Guardia Svizzera at Dundalk in December) and the Lynam newcomer Dreaming Of Gold, a half-sister to Fort Del Oro. Add in Ballydoyles Poppit and there’s a full house already. I fancy siding with Idyllic Acrylic.
In the concluding fillies' maiden over 10 furlongs, the list is just as lengthy. Weld’s Frankel filly Frima will take beating but such as Black Ruby, Sin Sin, Lady Nathaniel and Soft Kiss might make a race of it.
Three 45-65 handicaps grace the bulk of the card. The three-year-old sprint might provide an opportunity for Empress Lyla. If she isn’t able to take it then, Milish or D K Travel, might be capable.
The divided 10-furlong apprentice handicap has a stronger first half with Long History preferred over Demi Plie and Traidisiun, while Mystery Gal can account for Purple Party in the second leg.
Neville Ring
5.15 Cul An Ti
5.45 Verhoyen
6.15 Solar Halo (Dbl)
5.45 Idyllic Acrylic (Nap)
7.15 Empress Lyla
7.45 Lost History
8.15 Mystery Gal
8.45 Frima
Next Best
5.15 Steeleyed
5.45 Zalzar
6.15 Noivado
5.45 Guardia Svizzera
7.15 Milish
7.45 Demi Plie
8.15 Purple Party
8.45 Sin Sin
