Soffia beating Abstraction at Down Royal last month© Photo Healy Racing
Soffia bids to complete a hat-trick for trainer Edward Lynam in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap at Naas this afternoon.
With a total prize fund of 25,000 euro up for grabs, the six-furlong contest is the most valuable race on a seven-race card at Woodlands Park.
The Lady O’Reilly-owned Soffia looks the one to beat following successive wins at the Curragh and Down Royal this season.
Her nine rivals include Kindly a recent winner at Cork, and last-time-out course scorer Rapid Reaction
Just three runners go to post for the 20,000 euro Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Full Moon and Most Gifted are taken on by Gasta from Jim Bolger’s yard.
The conditions of the race suit Most Gifted best as although she is the highest-rated of the trio, she receives a good chunk of weight from both of her opponents and she should take plenty of beating.
The Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden has attracted 12 runners and the two form picks are Joseph O’Brien’s Rest Bay and the Jessica Harrington-trained Sparkle’n’joy.
The latter is probably the one to be with judged on her third placed finish behind Cava at Fairyhouse last month. The winner gave the form a significant boost when finishing a close-up third in the Group Three Grangecon Stud Stakes at the Curragh last weekend.
Dermot Weld ’s Andaleep has shaped with promise on each of his two starts to date and has a good opportunity to make it third time lucky in the opening Thanks Sally Carroll Irish EBF Maiden. Shore Step trained by Johnny Murtagh, bids for a third win on the bounce in the Inspire Child Development Centre Apprentice Handicap, with Ross Coakley taking the ride.
John McConnnell’s Sheila’s Hope is on a four-timer in the Naas Supporters Handicap, but may not have it all her own way, with Bolger’s recent Curragh scorer Dawn Hoofer a formidable rival.
