Cowardofthecounty returns in the Committed Stakes Joseph O'Brien has declared two of the seven for the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Committed Stakes at Navan on Saturday. The Carriganog handler will saddle Cowardofthecounty and Midnight Strike, with the 107-rated former his leading hope. A dual winner last season and successful in Group 3 company at Deauville, he failed to make an impact on his final start of the campaign, finishing last of nine in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. "Cowardofthecounty is coming back in trip," O'Brien said at Gowran on Wednesday. "In an ideal world he probably wants seven furlongs, but I think he likes straight tracks and depending on how he gets on, he could end up in something like the Jersey. "It is a good stiff finish at Navan and hopefully he'll be coming home well. "Midnight Strike will also run and likes a bit of cut as well." Also doubly represented, Aidan O'Brien looks to have strong claims with Whistlejacket and Ides Of March, while the hat-trick seeking Bodhi Bear, Dundalk winner Pedro Nunes and the Dermot Weld-trained Sparkling Sea complete the line-up. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
