Downforce seeking back-to-back wins in Listed Cork Stakes

3.20 Navan
Cork Stakes (Listed) | 3yo+| 5f164yds| ATR

Downforce, winner of this race a year ago when it was run at Cork, will be attempting to leave a moderate effort at Naas last month behind him when he faces three rivals in this Listed contest.

The Cork Stakes being run at Navan looks odd on the surface but is explained by the fact that the sprint track at Cork is being refurbished and won't be ready until next month.

Navan was passed fit for racing following an inspection on Friday and the heavy ground will favour Downforce.

His trainer Willie McCreery said: "I'm putting a line through his handicap run at Naas. He has to reverse placings with two of his rivals but we think he has come on from that first run of the year and he'll love the ground."

Son Of Rest: relishes testing groundCredit: Alain Barr

G Force and Son Of Rest both finished in front of Downforce at Naas, and Fozzy Stack said of Son Of Rest: "We were two and a quarter lengths behind G Force at Naas but we were giving him a lot of weight and we're meeting at level weight this time.

"Son Of Rest should have progressed from his first run of the season and he does relish testing ground."

G Force has not won since landing the Haydock Sprint Cup in September 2014 when trained by David O'Meara.

The seven-year-old's trainer Adrian Keatley said: "G Force ran well when fourth at Naas considering the testing ground was far from ideal.

"This will be tougher for him – Fozzy Stack's horse is meeting us on much better terms – but our fellow is well and we're hoping for a big run."

The Sheila Lavery-trained Flawlessly, a dual winner over the minimum trip, faces a big task at the weights.

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