SEVENTH RACE 4.55P.M.

THE BARBERSTOWN CASTLE IRISH EBF FILLIES MAIDEN OF €20,000

Starting from stalls. Value to winner: €11800; Second: €4000; Third: €2000; Fourth: €1000; Fifth: €600; Sixth: €400. (For Race Conditions see page 78)

Racesponsor

One Mile and Two Furlongs (2,000 metres) Waterford Post

Amanda Torrens accompanied by Ted Robinson representing Barberstown Castle will present a trophy to the winning owner, trainer and jockeys and a gift to the groom in charge of the horse judged to be best turned out.

Trifecta Race

Half-sister to War Cross, won three times at 1m. Finished seventh of 10 on heavy ground at on her debut last month and should be a lot wiser this time Improvement is required, though.

Unplaced in two starts on the all-weather Ostensibly holds a pedigree which leans towards being more effective on a synthetic surface but looks worth a try now switched to turf on her debut for a new yard. Star Rating 3 Ameerat Jumaira (GB)

100/30 R.P Whelan 9.2 6L 6th of 10 to La Tulipe Noire

5 1/2L 7th of 14 to Lecale’s Approach

(-)

Br Gr f Roaring Lion (USA) - Colonial Classic (FR) F

B Sir F Brooke Andrew Slattery J O Sir Francis Brooke

Dam won at 1m 1f and 1m 4f Related to winners over slightly further and may be more of a long-term prospect. She can only benefit from today’s experience and can go on from here Star Rating 2

4 ESQUILINE (FR) (225)

3 9 3 (129) (2)

Br B f Siyouni (FR) - Isabel De Urbina 8- F

B Merriebelle Irish Farm Ltd Ben Coen J

O Merriebelle Irish Farm Limited J P Murtagh T

Holds a very likeable pedigree and is probably a lot better than the face value of her finishing position on debut would have you believe Interesting now upped in trip and is one to consider Star Rating 4

Esquiline (FR)

50/1 S.B. Kelly 9.2

4 1/4L 8th of 15 to Sounds Of Heaven (GB) 9.2 LEP 15 OCT 22 mdn 1m Yld

5 EZIVA (-)

Br B f Medaglia d’Oro (USA) - Eziyra

3 9 3 (129) (4)

B His Highness the Aga Khan’s Studs S C Chris Hayes J

O H H Aga Khan D K Weld T

Her dam won six times between 7f and 1m4f, including the Group 2 Blandford Stakes over this course and distance Lots to like on pedigree and it would be no surprise to see a prominent display Star Rating 5

Dam won three times over hurdles at 2m, in a chase at 2m1f and on the flat at 1m4f Another that can be expected to be wiser this time and a betting check is advised. Star Rating 4

Dam a lightly raced maiden. Bred to be effective over this sort of trip, she is in the right hands to develop as she gains experience today and also further down the line Star Rating 4

Unplaced in both starts. She showed improvement on her latest outing and, given the winner of subsequently second in a Group 3 over 1m, the signs are positive now she steps up in trip race

4

She failed to get competitive in a maiden at Dundalk on her only start last year but is another who could have benefited from the run. She might still need a bit more time, though. Star Rating 2

A half-sister to an Australian Group 2 winner over 1m6f, she probably found things happening a little too quickly over 7f on her debut last November and today’s trip can see her in a better light. Star Rating 3

Unplaced in both starts. She improved for a sterner test of stamina when last seen and is likely to have a lot more to offer this term. Open to improvement in a hood today Star Rating 4

Blinkers worn by No 8. Hood worn by No 11.

This 1m2f maiden features some very nice types on paper Aidan O’Brien has two in the race, with High Chieftess, who displayed plenty of promise over an inadequate trip at Leopardstown last time, perhaps the more likely of the pair Star Galaxy should improve for her fourth to Epsom Oaks favourite Savethelastdance, but the one who looks very interesting is Dermot Weld’s EZIVA

The beautifully bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro looks very much the type on paper and we’ve seen plenty of Weld-trained fillies win on their debut before

Curragh Comment

Most of these have potential to improve now they are faced with a sterner test of stamina and the likes of Star Galaxy, Esquiline and High Chieftess are all in capable hands as they set out on the next phase of their development. However, the one that appeals most on pedigree is EZIVA, whose dam won the Group 2 Blandford Stakes for this yard here in 2018. It’s noteworthy that the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is pitched straight in at this sort of trip and a big run is expected from the Aga Khan-owned filly on debut.

WIN: EZIVA

DANGER: Star Galaxy