Expect Commonwealth Cup clues as exciting Straight Answer faces Ballydoyle trio

Saturday: Navan

There could well be Commonwealth Cup clues on offer at Navan on Saturday as the Ger Lyons-trained Straight Answer bids to bounce back from a disappointing Dewhurst Stakes effort last October.

An impressive Curragh maiden winner on his debut before bolting up by five and a half lengths in the Listed Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse in September, Juddmonte's exciting Kodiac colt was sent off just 6-1 to beat Native Trail in top-level company when last seen.

However, the 111-rated performer didn't give his true running when stepping up from 6f to 7f at Newmarket and could now be aimed at sprinting prizes this term. He makes his return in the Listed Committed Stakes (3.41) over 5½f - the same three-year-old only event that Measure Of Magic won on her way to finishing third in last year's Commonwealth Cup.

Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said: "He's a lovely, big colt who seems to have done well over the winter. This looks a tough race but hopefully he can run nicely and build on it as the season progresses."

Mahon added: "I don't think he stayed seven furlongs in the Dewhurst, hence he's dropping back in trip here."

Aidan O'Brien sends out a trio of promising colts with ratings of 101 or higher, and the fact Ryan Moore partners Cadamosto could be informative.

He hasn't been seen since June but finished an excellent fourth when only beaten three-quarters of a length behind Perfect Power and Go Bears Go in last year's Norfolk Stakes.

Stablemate King Of Bavaria (ridden by Seamie Heffernan) defied a 176-day absence to maintain his unbeaten record when last seen landing the Birdcatcher Premier Nursery in October, while New York City (Wayne Lordan) got off the mark impressively at the sixth attempt in a Navan maiden last month.

O'Brien said: "Cadamosto was on the wrong side of the track in the Norfolk last year but we were happy with him. This should give us an idea whether it's best to go back to five furlongs or if he has more options at six.

"It will be very interesting to see how King Of Bavaria matches up with Cadamosto as the season progresses. They're both sprinting types and worked together when we brought them away to the Curragh. You'd hope he'll mature into a Group horse.

"New York City did well physically over the winter and is a big, strong horse who likes good ground."

It wouldn't be a complete shock if an Oaks contender emerged from the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes (4.15) later on the card as Concert Hall and Magical Lagoon make their seasonal reappearances.

Concert Hall and Magical Lagoon finished down the field in the Fillies' Mile when last seen, having previously landed Group 3 contests.

Aidan O'Brien said: "She disappointed in the Fillies' Mile but perhaps that was one race too many. We're working towards the Pretty Polly at the Curragh."

On Magical Lagoon, Jessica Harrington said: "She seems to have done well from two to three. We're hoping she runs a big race."

Read more Saturday previews . . .

1.50 Sandown: 'He's going the right way' - key quotes and analysis for novices' hurdle final

2.05 Haydock: Can progressive Alrehb complete a hat-trick on his first start on turf?

2.25 Sandown: Does classy novice Erne River have what it takes to down his older rivals?

3.00 Sandown: 'It's very important' - Skelton hoping for Grade 1 breakthrough with Nube Negra

3.32 Sandown: 'I can't split them' - Christian Williams on his exciting bet365 Gold Cup trio

Bet365 Gold Cup analysis: 'Go go go - she might just put the pedal to the metal when the lights are out' (£)

4.46 Navan: Dual Irish St Leger star Search For A Song makes comeback in Vintage Crop

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