'I think she'll go close' - who thinks they have a great chance in hot sprint?

Monday: 3.40 Naas
Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes | 6f | Median Auction Race | 2yo | RTV

It's no surprise a full field of 24 has been declared for this sprint given its prize-money of €300,000.

Last year’s winning team of Ger Lyons, Colin Keane and Juddmonte will again hope to land the spoils with impressive course-and-distance maiden winner Apricot Twist.

She shot away from her rivals at Naas a fortnight ago to win her maiden by seven and a half lengths and looks a leading player on that evidence.

Another promising filly lining up is Eddie and Patrick Harty’s Coralillo, who clocked one of the fastest times at the Tattersalls Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale in the spring. Bought for €80,000, she duly made a winning debut at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago.

It was also hard not to be impressed by the debut success of As It Was at Navan. She is part of a two-strong team for Andy Oliver and is sure to improve plenty from that performance.

The highest-rated of those with an official mark is the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Badb, who is rated 99 after five starts and arrives with two solid placed efforts in Group company, including a second in the Airlie Stud Stakes. The reopposing Matilda Picotte (rated 97) was three-quarters of a length behind in third.

Two British-based challengers also take their place. Richard Fahey sends over Rousing Encore, who finished five lengths behind Bradsell in the Coventry Stakes, while David O’Meara has booked Daniel Tudhope for the ride on Family Ties.

Joseph O’Brien has a four-pronged attack of Basil Martini, Montesilvano, All Things Nice and Voce Del Palio, while his father Aidan relies solely on Victoria Road, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore in what is the bank holiday highlight in Ireland.

What they say

Sheila Lavery, trainer of Grey Fable and Nituna
Grey Fable has been gelded since his last run at the Curragh. It's a hot race but he's shaping up well and we're looking forward to running him. We were a little disappointed with Nituna at the Curragh, so we gave her a break. She's growing a lot and shaping up well, so hopefully she can run a nice race.

Richard Fahey: 'it's going to be tough being drawn one'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Fahey, trainer of Rousing Encore
I like sending runners to Ireland and we've had this race in mind for him as we thought it would suit, and the prize-money is good. He's in good form and won't mind soft ground, but it's going to be tough being drawn one. The more rain there is the harder it gets from that draw in a big field, as they tend to race down the stands' side.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Montesilvano, Voce Del Palio, Basil Martini and All Things Nice
Montesilvano won well the last day and drops back in trip. A stiff six furlongs will probably suit him and we're hoping for a good run. Voce Del Palio ran well in a good race at Leopardstown. He wouldn't mind a bit of juice in the ground and comes down in trip too, so hopefully he can go well. Basil Martini wouldn't want the ground to get too soft but she's a nice filly. She ran well in what looked a decent maiden. All Things Nice has been progressive and we're hoping she can continue that and run a good race.

David O'Meara, trainer of Family Ties
I'm looking forward to it, but obviously it's not going to be easy as it's a very competitive race. She's in good shape and won on soft ground, so it won't be a problem if they get any more rain. I'm not sure about the draw but she's in the middle, so that should be okay.

Patrick Harty, joint-trainer of Coralillo
She won impressively on debut. I wasn’t surprised by her winning but was certainly impressed by how she quickened up to take the lead so easily. She ran a little green when she got to the front, but I’d like to think that a faster pace will only give her more of a chance.

Kieran Cotter, trainer of Matilda Picotte
She ran a cracker at the Curragh. We're looking forward to the race, which has been the aim for her since that run. She's got a lovely draw and has form on the track, albeit she was a little free that day. I think she'll settle a lot better here and I think she'll go close.

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