Naas Sunday – Scat Daddy Offspring Sergei Prokofiev Set to Star

Aidan O’Brien can score at the double with Royal Ascot hopes.

14:40 Owenstown Stud Stakes

Ambassadorial has had his career confined to polytrack so far, but he was forced to miss most of last season before an excellent second at Dundalk last month, and will be well suited by the forecast good to firm ground at Naas. He was conceding lumps of weight to the pair he split on his latest appearance, and is well up to scoring in listed company on that evidence. The fact that James Doyle goes over to ride is another positive sign, and he should have benefited from a gelding operation since last seen. To complete the picture, and leave nothing to chance, Mick Halford has fitted him with cheekpieces.  

Tip:

Ambassadorial 

15:15 Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes

As a son of Scat Daddy, Sergei Prokofiev has Royal Ascot in his sights, and should cement his place in the ante-post markets by adding to an impressive Navan win. That victory came on soft, but his pedigree suggests he will be even more effective on a sound surface, and he looks an exciting juvenile prospect. Whether Aidan O’Brien will send him to the Coventry Stakes remains to be seen, but he’s blessed with abundant speed, and would be an ideal candidate for the Windsor Castle Stakes, admitting that that contest has less prestige.

Tip:

Sergei Prokofiev 

15:45 Coolmore Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Fillies’ Sprint Stakes

Once again, Aidan O’Brien holds the aces with So Perfect, who did well to win on her racecourse bow at Navan given she was asked to make up plenty of ground on the runner-up, and that will have taught her plenty about what is required to win in more exalted company. Like Sergei Prokofiev, she is by Scat Daddy and promises to be suited by the quicker ground here, and will take plenty of beating.

Tip:

So Perfect