ESPERATIONAL
Lyons filly has character to build on Killarney win
ESPERE must be strongly fancied to follow-up her recent debut success in the five-runner Ladies Day June 23rd Fillies Rated Race in Gowran Park.
Trained by Ger Lyons, this Elusive Pimpernel filly created a favourable impression when landing a fillies event in Killarney two weeks ago, beating House Call by two lengths and showing a good attitude in the closing stages. Although the runner-up is only rated 74, there were three winners further behind, Aisleoas (runaway winner of a Gowran maiden), Raintree (Leopardstown) and High Street Lady (Dundalk).
Espere should have learned plenty from that Killarney experience and, although tackling a significantly quicker surface today, she makes plenty of appeal and is expected to beat Jim Bolger’s New To Town, third to El Greco in Cork last time.
Lyons and champion-jockey Colin Keane might also land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden with the twice-raced Elusive Pimpernel gelding Elysian Plains, which ran on the same day as Espere in Killarney.
Sent off favourite to build on his promising debut third behind Coeur Sublime and subsequent dual-winner Southern France in Navan, the selection travelled well into the race before being outstayed by Zamroudpour and beaten a length and three-quarters.
The pair stretched four lengths clear of the remainder and, significantly, Keane’s mount is dropping back in trip and racing on a drier ground. Both factors should help him in what might develop into a head-to-head with Willie Mccreery’s filly Mazzuri, narrowly denied by Dynabee on her debut in Cork.
The Dermot Weld-trained Clique, favourite when fifth to Lightening Quick in her only start, at Leopardstown in October, sets the standard in the concluding fillies maiden.
Meanwhile, Aidan O’brien will decide this morning whether his chief Investec Oaks hope Magical will take her place in the big-race line-up on Friday.
He reported yesterday the filly had “a bit of filling in a joint” and will monitor the situation.
Whether Magical makes the field or not, O’brien hopes to be represented by Magic Wand, Together Forever, Bye Bye Baby, Flattering and I Can Fly, with riding arrangements expected to be confirmed this morning.