Lyons searching for third big-race success in six days with Who's Steph

6:50 Gowran Park
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed) | 1m1½f | Listed | 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

Fresh from his first domestic Group 1 courtesy of Siskin on Friday night and Justifier's victory in the Caravaggio Stakes at Tipperary on Sunday, Ger Lyons is searching for a third notable success in the space of six days. He will have high hopes of achieving the feat as Who's Steph is the officially the best filly in the race according to the handicapper.

Indeed, the 108-rated Who's Steph is 10lb superior to her rivals and appears to have been found a gilt-edged opportunity to register her third win of the campaign.

Aidan O'Brien, who has sent out the winner three times since 2012, is triple-handed with Goddess, Secret Thoughts and Frosty.

Luxuriant: represents Dermot WeldCredit: Alain Barr

It will also be interesting to see how Luxuriant fares. Her debut victory in a Leopardstown maiden has been franked since by the runner-up, and she has received an opening mark of 87 following that smooth success.

What do the stats say?

Dermot Weld has won this Listed prize four times in the last decade and three times in the last six years with Adool (2016), Carla Bianca (2014) and Along Came Casey (2013).

Snowy Winter sprung a surprise at 25-1 last year but there were two winning favourites prior to that thanks to Alluringly (2017) and Adool (2016) and four market leaders have justified favouritism in the last decade.

Seamie Heffernan, who rides Frosty, was successful twice in the last four years on Alluringly (2017) and Easter (2015).

The likely favourite, Who's Steph, was a wide-margin winner on her sole visit to Gowran Park, winning by eight lengths over this trip in early May.

What the trainers say

Brendan Murphy, trainer of Annie Fior
It's a very good race but she appears to be in great form and that was a fantastic run at the Curragh last time I thought. The break since has done her good and this race fits nicely into her schedule.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Camphor
She's in great form and, if you took Who's Steph out of it, you would be giving her every chance. She's been in terrific form and ran a cracker in a hot handicap at Galway so she's up to a mark of 97 now and that's why we are here in a race like this.

Jack Davidson, trainer of Fresnel
She's had a nice bit of down time since Ascot and she's ready to go. I think the track at Gowran will suit her and the ground certainly won't be a hindrance to her as she is very versatile with regard to conditions.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Frosty, Goddess and Secret Thoughts
Goddess is progressing slowly. We were very happy with her last run at the Curragh and we think she will improve again. Frosty has been off for a long time and will improve for the run. The better the ground, the better Secret Thoughts will run.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Luxuriant
She's a nice filly who won well at Leopardstown but this is a big step up for her. If we could pick up some black type that would be great.

Spotlight verdict

Such a good performer at this level and on easy ground WHO'S STEPH is difficult to oppose on her return from a short break and already a C&D winner this year. Even under a Group penalty she is nicely clear of her rivals on ratings, the pick of whom could be Camphor, Fresnel and the unexposed Luxuriant.
Alan Hewison

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