NAAS SPIN FOR CAPRI
Dual Classic hero adds lustre to today’s card
AIDAN O’Brien expects his St Leger and Irish Derby winner Capri to “improve a lot for the run” as the dual Classic hero makes his reappearance in the Alleged Stakes at Naas this afternoon.
The high-profile fixture, which also features the Gladness Stakes, was forced to be rescheduled after the course was waterlogged last Sunday.
Capri, who beat last season’s top-rated thoroughbred Cracksman to win the Irish Derby, followed up in the St Leger.
The grey has not been seen since a disappointing run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last October and must concede upwards of 5lb to each of his four rivals in this 10-furlong Group Three.
“He’s in good form. He’s just ready to start and will improve a lot from the run,” said O’Brien.
“The ground is far from ideal but we need to get him out. It’s not ideal for him, especially starting off.”
Capri is one of three Ballydoyle representatives, with Cliffs Of Moher and Yucatan also in the Group Three line-up.
Cliffs Of Moher lost his way after finishing second in last year’s Epsom Derby. “Cliffs Of Moher is going to improve ® a lot also and obviously we’re worried about the ground,” said O’Brien. “He will turn inside out after the run.
“Yucatan is the same, he is just ready to start, and we’re just hoping that he runs a nice race.”
The Group Three Gladness Stakes lineup includes the Ger Lyons-trained Psychedelic Funk, who is running for the first time since winning the Concorde Stakes at Tipperary last autumn, while Larchmont Lad is a British challenger for David O’Meara.
Willie McCreery’s Downforce makes a swift return after claiming a Listed prize at Navan last week and Making Light, trained by Dermot Weld, will be well fancied after winning the Park Express Stakes here at the end of March.
The Weld-trained filly unshipped substitute rider Leigh Roche on the way down to the start after being spooked by some children playing on some swings, but was always in command during the race itself.
“It was lovely to win the first Group race of the year,” said Weld. “She’s a lovely mare to train. I think she’ll be equally effective over seven as a mile.”