Chicas Amigas pictured on her way to victory at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Chicas Amigas could take advantage of having her sights lowered for the Mongey Communications Race at the Curragh on Monday.
After winning her maiden over this six-furlong trip at Dundalk in May, Jessica Harrington’s charge finished runner-up in a Listed contest at Naas before twice running unplaced in Group-race company.
She sets the standard in this six-runner affair with a mark of 94 and has cheekpieces fitted for the first time. Evasive Power and Andre Amar look the dangers.
The Curragh Taining Grounds Handicap is ferociously competitive, but three-year-old filly Excelling Spirit could give her elders the slip.
She clearly has plenty of potential after scoring on her third start in Cork for Willie McCreery. Freiheit has been running consistently well without getting her head in front but her time may come for McCreery in the Curragh “Where Champions Are Made” Fillies Maiden. Cruciatus can put his experience to good use in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, although market moves for any of Aidan O’Brien’s three newcomers — Barbados Blenheim Palace and Sydney Opera House — would be significant.
Paddy Twomey ’s Foxtrot Liv is the one to beat in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Median Auction Maiden, after just failing by a nose over course and distance last month. Hammersmith had no chance behind Anthony Van Dyck in a Group Three at Leopardstown but ought to make his presence felt in the Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Nursery Handicap.
Ben Coen ’s 7lb claim is more than useful in this tight event.
A maximum field of 30 are due to go to post for the concluding Curragh “Where Champions Are Made” Handicap and Zeeyalater can put up a bold show for in-form Sheila Lavery.
He is a fast-ground horse who has slipped to his lowest mark of 53.
