Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SPRINGS IS IN THE AIR
O’Brien’s classy charge can rise to the occasion in the Gladness Stakes at Naas
THE top-class Alice Springs can make a winning return to action in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at Naas this afternoon.
Last season this filly emerged as one of the best three-year-olds around when she notched up a trio of Group 1 victories.
Those successes came in Ireland, England and France over the course of a busy campaign when she held her form very well.
In addition, she also ran some fine races in defeat and her best form puts her a long way clear of these rivals.
It is often the case, Aidan O’Brien’s inmates tend to come on considerably for their first runs of the season and that could again be the case here.
However, Alice Springs has plenty to spare on official ratings and she looks good enough to overcome any fitness concerns.
She may be given most to do by Blue De Vega, who lines up chasing a first win since his juvenile career.
O’Brien will also be fancied to land the Group 3 Alleged Stakes with US Army Ranger. This colt emerged as one of his trainer’s best middle distance three-year-olds last season when he finished second in the Epsom Derby.
Through the second half of the season, US Army Ranger couldn’t quite build on that promise, but he remains a colt of major potential.
On his comeback he could be vulnerable, which means that Success Days is put forward to score.
This Ken Condon inmate is a very smart performer at this level of competition as he showed when winning the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes last August.
He finished unplaced on his final run last season, but that effort is easily forgiven as it came in an exceptional edition of the Irish Champion Stakes.
Elsewhere, the sprint handicap could fall to Mizaah, who could manage only eighth in a similar race on the opening day of the season.
The mile-and-a-quarter handicap could see Sister Blandina continue where she left off last season.
Sorelle Delle Rose should win the sprint maiden on the form, while Diodorus is put forward to take the concluding maiden.