Fast-improving Next In Line bids to complete hat-trick in strong Connacht Oaks

3.55 Sligo
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies & Mares Handicap | 1m4½f, 3yo+ | RTV

She may be 18lb higher than when opening her account at Gowran Park less than a fortnight ago, but James Barrett's Next In Line rates a major player in Sligo's Friday feature, which is worth €26,000.

The highly progressive three-year-old left her maiden form behind when striking on her handicap debut at the Kilkenny venue before doubling up under an excellent Luke McAteer ride at the Galway festival.

The 1m½f trip she won over then is probably short of her best, but whether she will relish the step up to Friday's distance of 1m4½f is another question.

However, she is clearly thriving at present and could yet be capable of defying a 10lb rise for her Ballybrit heroics.

Next In Line: successful at Gowran Park prior to doubling her tally at Galway last weekCredit: Patrick McCann

Speaking of improving fillies, Wilderness has been a tremendous flagbearer for Johnny Murtagh this season and was just denied a memorable four-timer when Elizabethofaragon managed to nab her close home in the Ulster Oaks.

Another 6lb rise for that near-miss makes life harder, but she has a handy draw in stall two and demands the utmost respect considering how well she is holding her form.

The class act of the race is undoubtedly Joseph O'Brien's Mighty Blue and Dylan Browne McMonagle's 7lb claim could prove important considering her significant weight of 10st 1lb.

This shorter trip than last time in the Listed Vintage Tipple Stakes should play to her strengths.

Wilderness: progressive five-year-old has already recorded three victories since racing resumed in JuneCredit: Patrick McCann

Nathan Crosse's 5lb claim will also be a help to Haparanda, who earned a 14lb hike for her ready Killarney success last month, while Paddy Twomey's Red Line Alexander looks to be going the right way on the evidence of her breakthrough win at Ballinrobe 18 days ago.

What they say

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Wilderness
She was just touched off in the Ulster Oaks so we're heading west to see if she can go one better in the Connacht Oaks. She came out of her Down Royal run well and we're happy with her. She's been a very consistent filly.

Jarlath Fahey, trainer of Lyrical Attraction
We hope the ground [officially good] holds up for her. We had the option of running her at Tipperary but it just got a bit soft. She's in good form and has been running well, so fingers crossed she runs well.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Red Line Alexander
She's a nice filly and I was happy with how she progressed from her first start to her second. I think the step up to a mile and a half will suit her well, being by Sea The Stars, and it'll be her first run in a handicap so I'm looking forward to seeing how she gets on.

Lyrical Attraction: has been running consistently without getting her head in front this yearCredit: Patrick McCann

James Barrett, trainer of Next In Line
She's a tough, honest filly. I'd like to see a drop of rain for her. The ease in the ground and hill at Galway helped her get away with winning over the extended mile but I've always thought she was a mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half filly. This is another step up in class and we're obviously 10lb higher than last time, but she's been in good form since Galway and we think she goes there with a good, solid chance.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mighty Blue
Hopefully she runs well. She has to give away a lot of weight but Dylan's claim will help. The drop in trip should be okay for her too.

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