Anthem Alexander pictured on her way to victory at Tipperary last year© Photo Healy Racing
Exciting filly Anthem Alexander makes her highly anticipated return to action in the Racing Post Lacken Stakes on an excellent card at Naas.
The Eddie Lynam-trained three-year-old enjoyed a fine juvenile campaign, winning the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot before placing behind Tiggy Wiggy in both the Lowther Stakes at York and the Cheveley Park at Newmarket.
L ynam is eyeing a return to the Royal meeting, with the Commonwealth Cup her likely target, but she first tests her powers against five talented opponents at Group Three level.
"She's very well. Pat (Smullen) had a sit on her at the Curragh last Sunday, he's happy with her and we're happy with her," said Lynam.
"She's grown again, she's a big weight - we're very happy with her, but like everyone else we'd like to see her get out on the track now and prove what we think.
"Royal Ascot will be next, and after Ascot it sort of speaks for itself then. The good thing is there are a few races put on in Ireland if you fall a bit short, but the dream at the moment is that she is going to be really good."
Anthem Alexander's rivals include Mick Halford's Toscanini who chased home dual Guineas winner Gleneagles in last season's National Stakes and recently made a successful reappearance at Navan.
Aidan O'Brien saddles course and distance winner The Happy Prince while Compass Hill, Intense Style and Beach Belle complete the field.
There are three Listed prizes up for grabs at the Woodlands Park circuit, kicking off with the Owenstown Stud Stakes.
Richard Fahey sends Heaven's Guest across the Irish Sea to take on the likes of Halford's Eastern Rules John Murphy's Big Time and Stay De Night from Dermot Weld's yard.
Fahey is also represented in the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes, with Doncaster and Newbury scorer Birchwood carrying the Godolphin silks for the first time as he goes in search of a hat-trick in the hands of James Doyle.
He is opposed by David Wachman's Navan winner Auld Enemy the Ger Lyons-trained Argentero Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Air Vice Marshal and Galway Bay from Johnny Levins' yard.
Eight juveniles are set to to go to post for the Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies' Sprint Stakes, including Karl Burke's British raider Millennium Falcon Kevin Prendergast's course-and-distance winner Rue Bonaparte and Lynam's Cork scorer Promised Money
