Group 1 second set for Irish debut as Listed contests highlight quality card

Irish racing's return rolls on to Navan on Wednesday, with a pair of high-class Listed contests taking centre stage on a quality eight-race card.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Mount Everest is the highest-rated performer on show at the Meath venue, with the Ballydoyle handler aiming to land the Heritage Stakes (4.00) for the first time since Declaration Of War secured the prize in 2013.

Out of three-time Group 1 winner Six Perfections, Mount Everest is not short of ability, as he proved when beaten less than three lengths in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf, and now drops back to a mile after finishing sixth over 1m2½f on Saudi Cup day at Riyadh in February.

"We're not really sure of his trip but this might be closer to it than the way we were going before," said O'Brien of his 113-rated colt. "He's working nicely and it'll be interesting to see how he gets on."

Buckhurst: major player in Wednesday's Heritage StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Joseph O'Brien's Buckhurst looks a major contender on his seasonal bow having bagged a pair of Group 3 contests last summer for owner Lloyd Williams but must give weight away to all of his rivals.

The 110-rated Trais Fluors is better suited by the race conditions, receiving 5lb from Buckhurst and 3lb from Mount Everest.

Formerly trained by Andre Fabre, the six-year-old was second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat in 2017 and has also twice finished third in the Prix d'Ispahan. He joined Ken Condon and owner Robert Ng for €370,000 last October.

Condon said: "He's got a fair degree of talent, while it's also fair to say he's a bit of a mercurial character. He'll like the fast ground and it'll be good for him to have his first run in Ireland."

Ken Condon: trainer of Trais FluorsCredit: Patrick McCann

The trainer added: "He disappointed in Saudi Arabia last time, but he wasn't the only horse who went out there and did that."

The in-form Jessica Harrington team will be represented by Ancient Spirit, who won the German 2,000 Guineas in 2018. He was last seen in October when beaten only a head by Mount Everest over 1m2f in the Listed Trigo Stakes.

Harrington is dual-handed in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes (3.30), with red-hot stable jockey Shane Foley partnering promising filly One Voice, who has not been sighted since winning a Leopardstown maiden last July.

Tom Madden will partner stablemate Silence Please, who is unbeaten in two starts.

Ger Lyons is also doubly represented and Colin Keane will partner smart Cork maiden winner Yaxeni, while Gary Carroll steps in to ride Auxilia, who was third in a Listed race last year and second to One Voice on her debut.

One Voice: impressive winner of a Leopardstown maiden last JulyCredit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O'Brien claimed the prize last year with Pink Dogwood and runs Passion this time.

He said: "We're very happy with her and always felt that she'd like going a mile and a quarter or further. She's just ready to start and we're happy with what she's doing at the moment."

The seven-strong field is completed by useful Paddy Twomey-trained filly Raven's Cry and Willie McCreery's promising maiden Epona Plays.

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