Navan Saturday: Taylor Should Be Swift Enough to Score a First Success
5 min read
The relatively unheralded Fergal Birrane could be a name to watch, and has a well handicapped filly on his hands in Taylor Velvet
13:55 Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden
Tip:
Back Compton’s Finale @
15:05 Troytown Bar Handicap
Join us tomorrow the first of our #SuperSeptember fixtures @NavanRacecourse – we can't wait 🎉
🕛 Gates Open 12noon – First race 1.55pm
🎟️ Adults €15, Seniors €10 and kids go FREE
🐎 7 exciting flat races
🎶 Live music after racing pic.twitter.com/VHU4ZxiIUK
— Navan Racecourse (@NavanRacecourse) September 7, 2018
It would be no surprise to see Lost Treasure follow up a seemingly-cosy win at the Curragh last time, and he’s the least exposed runner in this field, but he’s sure to be well found in the market, and the horse he beat into second that day, Amanaat, was very eyecatching on his first start for Denis Hogan having left James McAuley. The 5-y-o looked an excellent prospect after winning his only juvenile start for John Gosden, only to miss more than two years, and he has gradually been getting back to that level since his return in February. He came from a long way back at the Curragh despite the race being run at just an even pace, and might have given the winner a bigger fright had they made their moves simultaneously. It’s true the winner looked to hold on with a degree of comfort, but the runner-up is entitled to improve again, and has a swing of 11lb for just half a length, including Killian Leonard’s claim. That should really be enough to see him start favourite, but it probably won’t.
Tip:
Back Amanaat @
16:10 Gormanlough Apprentice Handicap
Graff (Star Witness-Dinkum Diamond) extends his unbeaten run with a dominant win in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes for @Leesracing. Graff was a $200,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Alan Bell Racing from @widdenstud. He's three wins from three runs! #ClassOf2017
— Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) August 25, 2018
This isn’t a strong event despite the presence of the once-useful Dinkum Diamond at the head of the weights, and it won’t take a lot of winning. The most interesting runner in the race to my eye is the Fergal Birrane-trained Taylor Velvet, a daughter of Intense Focus who showed ability initially for Thomas Cleary but was handed a very stiff initial handicap mark, and has struggled to compete as a rule. She was placed off her current mark at Dundalk in March, to show she can now be competitive, and bounced back to her very best on her debut for Fergal Birrane at Ballinrobe last time with a visor fitted for the first time, finishing fourth in a maiden over this trip behind subsequent winner Mutaabeq, who has a HRI handicap mark of 93. Taylor Velvet, receiving 5lb not including her rider’s claim, was beaten nine lengths, and is rated 49. Perhaps a better comparison is with the 73-rated Encantador, who Taylor Velvet beat 1¾ lengths at level weights. Either way, the 3-y-o filly looks very well handicapped on that form, and there are reasons to believe that the form is not misleading, with the headgear and change of stable both valid reasons for her getting back on the up. Birrane trains at Killala House Stables, a facility for which co-owner Daniel MacAuliffe has ambitious plans, and the facilities are better than those enjoyed by most small yards, meaning that Fergal Birrane is a trainer to keep on side.
Tip:
Back Taylor Velvet e/w @ (NAP)
🎟️ Adults €15, Seniors €10 and kids go FREE
🐎 7 exciting flat races
🎶 Live music after racing pic.twitter.com/VHU4ZxiIUK
Graff (Star Witness-Dinkum Diamond) extends his unbeaten run with a dominant win in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes for @Leesracing. Graff was a $200,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Alan Bell Racing from @widdenstud. He's three wins from three runs! #ClassOf2017
— Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) August 25, 2018
This isn’t a strong event despite the presence of the once-useful Dinkum Diamond at the head of the weights, and it won’t take a lot of winning. The most interesting runner in the race to my eye is the Fergal Birrane-trained Taylor Velvet, a daughter of Intense Focus who showed ability initially for Thomas Cleary but was handed a very stiff initial handicap mark, and has struggled to compete as a rule. She was placed off her current mark at Dundalk in March, to show she can now be competitive, and bounced back to her very best on her debut for Fergal Birrane at Ballinrobe last time with a visor fitted for the first time, finishing fourth in a maiden over this trip behind subsequent winner Mutaabeq, who has a HRI handicap mark of 93. Taylor Velvet, receiving 5lb not including her rider’s claim, was beaten nine lengths, and is rated 49. Perhaps a better comparison is with the 73-rated Encantador, who Taylor Velvet beat 1¾ lengths at level weights. Either way, the 3-y-o filly looks very well handicapped on that form, and there are reasons to believe that the form is not misleading, with the headgear and change of stable both valid reasons for her getting back on the up. Birrane trains at Killala House Stables, a facility for which co-owner Daniel MacAuliffe has ambitious plans, and the facilities are better than those enjoyed by most small yards, meaning that Fergal Birrane is a trainer to keep on side.
Tip:
Back Taylor Velvet e/w @ (NAP)
