Oyster Stakes a puzzler but Yaxeni sets the standard on recent form

Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes (Listed) | 1m4f | 3yo+ fillies and mares | RTV

A full field of 18 has been declared for this Listed contest, which doesn't look the easiest puzzle to solve.

The standard is set by Yaxeni, who was a good winner of a 1m6f Listed event at Gowran Park in May and found only Rosscarbery and the 107-rated Beamish too strong on her next two starts.

While her three wins have come on slow ground, she has some solid form on sounder surfaces so is likely to cope whatever way conditions present themselves.

Ralph Beckett: Thanks Monica represents the trainerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ralph Beckett has sent Thanks Monica over for a crack at the €40,000 prize and she looks an intriguing candidate. The three-year-old arrives on the back of two easy victories in handicap company at Salisbury and Leicester and will tackle Listed level for the first time

Peter Fahey is firing on all cylinders and will be looking to keep his fine run going with Disco Boots. The Belardo filly relished the step up to this trip at Roscommon last time when she ran out a convincing winner of a handicap off a mark of 75, and it would not be a surprise if she improved further given her trainer's form.

Dame Rapide has enjoyed a brilliant season since arriving at Barry Fitzgerald’s, climbing 26lb in the handicap, and may have finished closer at Killarney last time with a clearer passage. She looks ready for a shot at this company.

Joseph O’Brien saddles four, the most interesting of which is Goodie Two Shoes, who created a telling impression when a comfortable winner on her debut, while Shane Foley has opted for Alizarine, who steps up in trip after a respectable second in the Oaks Trial at Naas in June, of the Jessica Harrington trio.

What they say

Barry Fitzgerald, trainer of Dame Rapide
She's in good nick. She got caught in a pocket at Killarney last time, but if she runs like she did at the festival she should be thereabouts again. She's stepping up to Listed company, but she's running well in handicaps and is improving the whole time. Hopefully she'll go well.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Disco Boots
She's come out of Roscommon very good. It looks a competitive race and, on ratings, she'd probably have to run above herself to be placed. If we could get some black type, we'd be delighted and she's in good form.

Alizarine has claims, says Shane FoleyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Shane Foley, rider of Alizarine
She ran a cracker at Naas and she's stepping up in trip again. She's in good form at home and we were just waiting for a bit of kindness in the ground for her, that's why she's been off until now.

Declan McDonagh, rider of Goodie Two Shoes
She's a nice filly. What she did at Killarney was very good. It's a wide-open race and we didn't get blessed with a great draw in stall 18, but we think she's a good filly.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Thanks Monica
She's travelled over well and we look forward to running her. The trip should suit her well and the ground is no concern. It looks a good slot for her so we hope she's competitive. This is a step up but she's won her last two and now is the time to go.

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