CORK

5:50 CORK STAKES (LISTED RACE) (3yo+) 6f

TAX FREE 9-12 ~ Consistent and game sprinter who is just short of top class but more than capable in this grade. Dandy Nicholls’ 6yo improved for his first run of the season in the Cammidge when finishing a close 2nd in the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas. He had beaten Dandy Man and Desert Lord in last years renewal of the same race and despite being just beaten by Snaefell this season he still had multiple Group 1 winner Reverence back in third. No disgrace being beaten by Snaefell though as that rival looks to have improved over the winter and maybe one to follow early season. Tax Free steps up to 6f today and it was a surprise he was mainly campaigned last season over the minimum trip as he has always looked a slightly better individual over 6f. He shouldn’t have a problem with yielding ground but any drying should only improve his chances.

SENOR BENNY 9-10 ~ Versatile regarding ground so conditions should be in his favour but he has plenty to find with Tax Free judging by his run at Naas last time out. 2lbs pull in the weights but that doesn’t look enough for him to reverse from with the favourite.

AN TADH 9-7 ~ All the horses best form on turf has come on fast ground so todays softer conditions aren’t ideal. He did win a 5f conditions race on the all weather on his seasonal reappearance so he should be in decent form. However last season after finishing 2nd in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes on his reappearance he failed to reproduce that form and was a disappointment. So a repeat performance is a concern but if on his best form he would have a chance if proving equally effective on todays ground.

CONTEST 9-7 ~ Shouldn’t have any worries with the ground or trip and a lightly raced individual who is open to plenty of improvement. He ran away with a weak handicap at Naas last year and then finished 3rd in a Listed race at Sandown behind Hoh Mike. More needed but given he is still lightly raced he could be open to further improvement so an interesting outsider.

FINICIUS 9-7 ~ Ran a fine race at Glorious Goodwood and finished 6th in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes behind Tariq. A horse with plenty of ability but he has clearly had his problems. On his final start last season though he put in a career best effort when winning a handicap on the all weather despite having to give weight to most of the field. He has been off the track since December but he has proven he can run well fresh before so that shouldn’t be a concern. He probably wouldn’t want the ground to get any softer but he is the highest rated of the Irish runners and he has to be respected.

MOJITO ROYALE 9-7 ~ An impressive strike rate and a very consistent performer so he is sure to run his race. However he would prefer faster ground and his handicap form leaves him with having to find further improvement if he is to figure today.

PENCIL HILL 9-0 ~ After two decent wins in his first two starts as a juvenile he started third in the market for the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. He finished 4th and was a shade unlucky as his jockey dropped his whip and he could only stay on one paced there after. Would have been interesting to see how he would have finished but he is a horse who possesses plenty of talent and speed. After that run he wasn’t seen again till stepped up to 7f in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes. There was no confidence behind him in the market but he had been off the track for 4 months and was running over an unsuitable trip. He has something to prove at present though but a talented horse and if he can show some of his old ability he will be of interest next time out as he is sure to need this outing.

CROI MO RI 8-11 ~ All his form on turf has been in testing ground so it will be interesting to see how the 3yo will handle this faster surface. He made his seasonal reappearance in a 3yo handicap at Cork and ran out an easily winner. That was a weak affair though and he was comfortably put in his place by Georgebernardshaw next time out. The lowest rated in the field he will have to show considerable improvement to win.

THE LOAN EXPRESS 8-8 ~ Finest effort last season came when finishing 3rd in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. All her best form has come on fast ground and over the minimum trip. Todays conditions don’t look ideal and she has to prove she has trained on after a disappointing effort last time out.

CONCLUSION

The favourite Tax Free is a deserved favourite but is quite a short price given there are several potential improvers in the line-up. He has to concede weight all round and that might make him vulnerable. Pencil Hill and The Loan Express are both 3 and showed good form as juveniles but both don’t have the most solid of profiles. It remains to be seen whether they have trained on and this is the first time they have raced against older horses but they have the potential to be decent. Contest is lightly raced and has shown signs in weaker company of being a promising sprinter but he may need the run and has questions to answer at present. The ground looks to have gone against An Tadh and Mojito Royale.
The preferred option is Finicius who has gone well fresh before and looks to have a bright future in sprints after good performances at Dundalk and at Goodwood (over a trip that looked to stretch him). Tax Free should be tough to beat but Finicius is open to improvement and the 5lbs he receives from the British raider could make the difference but he is sure to be there at the finish.

1pt EACH WAY – FINICIUS @ 6/1

RESULT

FINICIUS 4th = -2pts