Four things worth watching out for as Sergei Prokofiev bids to call the tune

Coventry favourite struts his stuff

Aidan O'Brien said recently that the improvement some of his string make from first to second start can be "out of this world", and that was most definitely the case with Sergei Prokofiev, who followed up a narrow defeat in a Dundalk maiden with a seven-and-a-half-length success at Navan.

That wide-margin win over a previous Naas maiden winner promoted him to favouritism for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. His biggest price for that is 9-2, but that could tumble if he continues his rapid progress in the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes (3.15) at Naas.

O'Brien, who last won the Listed contest in 2016 with Peace Envoy, holds the son of Scat Daddy in high regard.

He said: "We've always liked him and it was just greenness that caught him out at Dundalk the first day. He had never been away and everything was all new to him. He came forward nicely from that first start at Dundalk to win at Navan and we think he's come forward again. We like him."

Can So Perfect live to up to her name?

Not even Sergei Prokofiev could manage to deliver on his debut so for So Perfect to get the job done on her first start at Navan last month bodes well for the future.

The daughter of Scat Daddy, who is a sister to Japanese Listed-placed winner Scat Eddie, bids to extend her winning record in the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint Stakes (3.45).

O'Brien said: "So Perfect was just ready to run at Navan so we would have been happy had she finished in the first five. For her to win was a pleasant surprise and she's come forward nicely since then. She's a nice filly."

Weld on ground watch for Jewel Maker

Jewel Maker sparkled in a Cork maiden earlier this month but Dermot Weld has issued a note of caution about the ground for his son of Invincible Spirit and Sapphire ahead of the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes (2.40).

"My big concern for him is the ground. All that family like a good dig in the ground and we'll have to see what Naas is like," Weld said.

Archie Watson has his first runner at the course as he brings over the former John Gosden-trained Chessman for the Listed contest over 7f. The son of Acclamation had gone close against Jallota last time at Kempton, form that was franked at Windsor on Monday night by runner-up Arod.

Archie Watson: Chessman will be his first runner at Naas

Not letting the grass grow

The most valuable contest on the Limerick card is the 2m3f mares' chase (4.35), worth €25,000, and it could be treacherous for punters as the top two in the market have run in the last week.

Asthuria proved a bitterly disappointing favourite at Punchestown on Wednesday, trailing in seventh of the nine runners behind Supreme Vinnie. She is back against her own sex but looked to have had a hard race there.

A mighty leap from Asthuria during a mares’ beginners’ chase at ThurlesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Thanks For Tea traded at a low of 1.04 in running in the Killarney National over 3m2f but was reeled in close home by Icantsay. That was only six days ago, so can she reproduce such a cracking effort after having such a short time to recover?

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