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Rehana out to win Listed event named after her sire

Pat Smullen: will partner Rehana, a daughter of Dark Angel
Pat Smullen: will partner Rehana, a daughter of Dark AngelCredit: Caroline Norris

7.30 Naas
Yeomanstown Stud Dark Angel EBF Stakes (Listed) | fillies and mares | 3yo+ | 6f | ATR

Rehana will be returning to the scene of her Group 3 win in the Athasi Stakes in May in a race named after her sire Dark Angel.

The Michael Halford-trained filly has raced once since that win over seven furlongs, finishing fifth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas before being demoted to sixth following a stewards' inquiry.

Speaking on Tuesday, Halford said of Pat Smulllen's mount: "Rehana has had a break and is in good form. All is good with her and we're looking forward to dropping her back in trip.

"She hasn't raced over six furlongs since her debut last year, but I don't see it being a problem."

Only Mine has been a rock-solid performer over the trip this season, finishing runner-up at Group 2 and Group 3 level before landing the Listed Dash Stakes at the Curragh on her most recent start.

Her trainer Joe Murphy said: "She's in great form. She has a 3lb penalty for her last win and we could have done with a lower draw [than 13 of 13], but we're looking forward to another big run from her."

Only Mine holds on under Gary Carroll to win at the Curragh
Only Mine holds on under Gary Carroll to win at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

British raider

Carolinae, who represents Charlie Fellowes, will be attempting to become the third British-trained winner of the race in recent years following Miss Lahar (2013) and Minalisa (2014).

Fellowes said: "Carolinae is a filly we've always liked and she's a funny one as she's bred for two miles but is effective at six furlongs. She has loads of speed and ran a blinder on ground too quick for her at Newbury last time, when she was stopped in her run.

"She wouldn't have won but should have finished closer, and she should improve for cut in the ground in Ireland. Hopefully she can run a nice race and get some black type, which is why we're going."

The ground at Naas was good to firm yesterday afternoon but rain, possibly heavy, was forecast for the evening.

Eddie Lynam, successful with Fort Del Oro a year ago, is represented by Pious Alexander, the filly was a winner of a 5f maiden at Tipperary last month and wears a hood for the first time here, while Mur Hiba, whose trainer Michael O'Callaghan sent out Letters Of Note to score two years ago, races with a tongue-tie for the first time.

Aidan O'Brien fields no fewer than six, all of whom have been kept busy this season.

The Ballydoyle squad includes course and distance winners Alphabet and Music Box, with Music Box dropping back in trip having finished second over a mile at Killarney nine days ago.


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Racing Post Reporter

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