Could It Be Love winning her maiden on the Polytrack© Photo Healy Racing
Could It Be Love turns out quickly again in search of an elusive stakes victory in the Listed Cooley Stakes at Dundalk tonight.
The War Front filly was runner-up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas back in May when just collared late on by superstar performer Alpha Centauri.
She has been placed four times in stakes company since that effort, the latest coming when third at Naas last Sunday.
The Ballydoyle filly, who tends to race prominently, missed the kick on that occasion and had to stay on from mid-division behind front-running stable-mate Sarrocchi. Damselfly just pipped her for the runner-up spot at the Kildare track five days ago and she looks chief among the opposition now.
Joseph O’Brien’s charge has been highly tried in stakes company this season and was achieving her best finish of the season last time.
If she can reproduce that run, she has to be a big player again.
Joseph O’Brien also saddles an interesting contender in Dramatise who sprang a 50-1 shock when winning stylishly on her debut at Fairyhouse last month.
Could It Be love is one of a quartet of runners from Ballydoyle and Snowflakes gets another chance at this grade after failing to make much impression at Naas. Most Gifted who was sixth in Naas, also looks to have a bit to find while the 81-rated Dramatically appears the outsider of the four.
In the preceding Sheils Restaurant & Apple Orchard Handicap, bargain buy Bittersweet bids for a quick hat-trick on the all-weather.
The Power filly has won both her starts since being picked up for just £2,000 by Ado McGuinness and bids to defy a 6lb rise for her handicap success here earlier in the month.
Harriet’s Force takes a drop in grade in the Old Coach Inn Median Auction Maiden following a fine run in Listed company on her last visit to the course.
Keith Clarke’s charge finished fourth to No Needs Never when sent off a 100-1 shot in the Star Appeal Stakes three weeks ago.
If the daughter of Lethal Force can repeat that showing, she should prove hard to beat in the mile contest now.
