Royal Ascot Trials Day at Naas bursting with quality

Royal Ascot Trials Day at Naas, which is set to take place on Sunday, boasts some high-quality entries.

IN the previous two years, Royal Ascot winners have emerged from the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes and 14 have entries for this year's renewal.

Ribchestina, a course and distance winner who was previously trained by Sheila Lavery before being taken on by Paddy Twomey is among four previous winners entered. Ziggy's Dream, who was a runner-up at Chester last week has an entry for Alice Haynes.

Last year's renewal was won by Aidan O'Brien with Meditate, who went on to win the Albany Stakes, but he is not represented this year. However, Aidan's sons, Joseph and Donnacha, each have strong contenders in the potential lineup. Joseph O'Brien's Bated Moon won on debut earlier this month at Cork, and Donnacha O'Brien's Porta Fortuna showed promise on her first outing at the Curragh.

Eighteen three-year-olds have been entered for the €55,000 Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes. Among them is The Antarctic, trained by Aidan O'Brien, who will be attempting to win the race for the second consecutive year. The son of Dark Angel is a Group 1 runner-up and could be face tough competition from two other contenders. The progressive Ocean Quest, trained by Jessica Harrington, and Joe Murphy's hat-trick seeking Lord Massusus, who won at Naas in his last outing, are also potential runners in what promises to be an exciting race.

Sheila Lavery's New Energy, runner-up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is an interesting contender in the Owenstown Stud Stakes over seven furlongs. The Listed contest has attracted 21 entries, including Lord Massusus and Mutasarref. The latter won his last three races.

Of the 14 entries for the Sole Power Sprint Stakes, some are dreaming of top hats and Royal Ascot and British representation looks likely. Trainer Robert Cowell, based in Newmarket, has entered Arecibo and Clarendon House. Meanwhile, Fast Response for Karl Burke and Tees Spirit, trained by Adrian Nicholls, may also make the journey across the Irish Sea.

Moss Tucker, a course and distance winner from Ken Condon's yard, will have a shorter journey if she attempts to back up her win at Naas last month. Other Curragh-trained runners include Ano Syra, trained by Johnny Feane, and Ladies Church, trained by Johnny Murtagh, adding to the field's high quality.