Pam Sly star Eileendover takes aim at Grade 2 bumper prize before Flat campaign

5.15 Aintree
Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) | 2m1f | 4-6yo | RTV

Pam Sly’s stable star Eileendover, the top-rated bumper filly in Britain and Ireland on Racing Post Ratings, bids to extend her unbeaten record to four in this Grade 2 contest before a campaign on the Flat.

Eileendover is from the same dam line as Sly’s 2006 1,000 Guineas heroine Speciosa, and routed the field in her first two bumpers by 29 and 16 lengths before readily striking at Listed level at Market Rasen in January.

That race has been well advertised, with third Grangee winning a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and fourth Dragon Bones sealing a Listed success on her hurdles debut at Doncaster.

Those form boosts give her jockey, Paul O’Brien, who is three winners away from losing his claim, plenty of confidence.

O’Brien, 29, said: “I’m very excited to get back on her. She’s bolted up the two times I’ve ridden her and when Gina [Andrews] was on her she cantered home – you push the button and off she goes.

“Elle Est Belle was third in the Champion Bumper but Pam has been preparing her for this race and with a good run around she’ll take some beating on form.”

Paul O'Brien: has the plum ride on EileendoverCredit: David Carr

On her Flat prospects, O’Brien added: “I’ve ridden out in some good Flat yards, including for Richard Hannon and Archie Watson, and I don’t see why she couldn’t get to some sort of black type level on the Flat. I think she’ll achieve that no problem from what I’ve seen. It’s hard to know before she gives it a go, but she’s pretty good.”

Elle Est Belle is the sole course-and-distance winner in the 16-runner field and ran a big race when third in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Her trainer Dan Skelton said: "She ran great at Cheltenham and I don't think she had too hard a race. She looks fantastic and I'm very happy with her. If she reproduces her Cheltenham form then Eileendover will have to go to match it."

Laura Morgan has an exciting three days ahead with four runners at Aintree and saddles dual bumper winner Wheres Maud Gone, the mount of Derek O’Connor, and Listed second Step To The Top, ridden by Jack Kennedy.

Wheres Maud Gone (left): one of two runners in the race for Laura MorganCredit: Grossick Racing Photography

Morgan said: “Wheres Maud Gone’s form is stacking up very well and she should be bang there. She’s improved no end since we’ve had her and Derek knows her well having won on her at Thurles. Eileendover has been very impressive and looks the one to beat.

“We’ve not had Step To The Top long but she’s done everything nicely and better ground will be a massive benefit to her. She has been keen early on so will need to settle better.”

Alan King has won the day one finale three times, including with The Glancing Queen in 2019, and runs Lingfield winner Finest View, while Arthur Moore saddles the sole Irish runner, Me Too Please, who won at Down Royal last month and is ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Moore said: "We thought she was entitled to take her chance. The race will tell us how good she is but we like her a lot."

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