Drop in trip should suit Comanche Brave at Leopardstown
The feature on Thursday evening's card in Leopardstown is the Group 3 Barberstown Castle Stakes and Comanche Brave can build on a fine effort in the Irish 2,000 Guineas by claiming victory here.
In the colts' classic, Donnacha O'Brien's horse outran his odds of 50-1 by finishing fifth behind Field Of Gold. That was his first try at a mile and while he probably stays the trip well enough, the return to seven furlongs is a positive at this stage of his career.
If we look back one more race, to his seasonal debut, he finished runner-up to Henri Matisse in a Group 3 over Thursday's course and distance, and the winner gave that form a fine boost by winning the French 2000 Guineas on his next start.
Everything points to Comanche Brave being a progressive sort, and he should take a great deal of beating. Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle and can get him home in front, with Cowardofthecounty the one to chase him home. At much bigger odds, Easy could reach the frame.
The nap goes to Shakazia, who can continue the good run of trainer Johnny Murtagh by taking the second race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies' Maiden.
Quite well beaten but certainly not disgraced on her only start at two, she made her return little over a month ago and produced a much-improved display to finish runner-up behind the useful Sound Of Lightning.
There was a bunch finish for the places in that races, which makes the form more difficult to assess, but she did well to finish so close considering she was keen early and had to make plenty of ground from off the pace. This does not look to be the strongest of races and a little progress from that outing, which can be expected, ought to be enough to help her earn her stripes.
San Aer is without a win since late 2023 but Tom Mullins' gelding ran well in defeat in a premier handicap on his most recent start and will find 'The 1878 At 3Arena' Apprentice Handicap a more manageable affair. He is preferred to Lady Lunette, who was disappointing last time out but would be a leading player if return to her best form.
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