Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hawk set to swoop in finale at Naas
COOPER’S HAWK might prove tough to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction Maiden, the finale on an eight-race card on two-year-old day in Naas.
A son of Awtaad, this colt was well-touted and went off a 3/1 shot for his debut at the Curragh back in June but dropped away tamely to finish last in the maiden won by Admiral Nelson.
We didn’t see Jessica Harrington’s charge again until last month, when he contested a mile maiden at the Curragh.
He fared better then, overcoming a slow start to deliver a challenge at the furlong-pole before fading to finish fourth behind Brazil.
Today, Cooper’s Hawk drops back in trip, will relish the drier conditions and, at a price, should run a big race in what is probably a hot maiden.
The Ger Lyons-trained, 88-rated Alex D sets the form standard in a field which also includes some fascinating newcomers.
The Harrington team might also strike with Giuliana in the sevenfurlong fillies maiden following her creditable second to New Emerald Bay at Punchestown.
Although the winner disappointed in a listed event at Leopardstown last Saturday, that event was won by Monday, which finished fourth in the Punchestown race.
A feature of the card is the presence of debutants from top stables, some of them with the experience of barrier-trials at Dundalk behind them, including a couple of expensive purchases from Joseph O’brien’s string.
As such, the market should be watched carefully.
Tramore stages jumps action and 111-rated Master Artist, consistent but luckless in recent outings, might deliver for local trainer John Kiely in the Doneraile Walk Maiden Hurdle.