'She's ready to start back' - Irish Oaks second Toy bids for winning return

Sunday: 2.55 Naas
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes (Listed) | 1m | 3yo+ fillies and mares | RTV

After testing her mettle in Group 1 company on each of her last four starts, this represents a nice drop in class for Irish Oaks runner-up Toy, but she must overcome a ten-week break in order to get back to winning ways.

A sister to top-class performers such as Gleneagles, Marvellous, Happily and Joan Of Arc, she has arguably given some mixed signals as to her ideal trip preference. A mile on rain-softened ground at a fair track like Naas could be suitable, though, provided she isn't found wanting for race sharpness.

Mehnah, trained by Kevin Prendergast, is an interesting contender on her first run since winning in Listed company at Killarney in July 2021.

She had looked a filly of considerable potential last season, but it would be quite the performance if she could defy such a layoff.

Sunset Shiraz has missed much of this campaign after marking herself out as a classy filly when third in last year's Moyglare Stud Stakes. Improvement is required from her comeback run when down the field in last month's Blandford Stakes, but an ease in the ground should play to her strengths.

Sunset Shiraz: finished third in last season's MoyglareCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Emphatic Answer has live claims for Joseph O'Brien on the pick of her form, while major improver Flame Of Eire, who notched the first of four consecutive wins off a mark of 59 in July, faces her toughest test yet in Listed company.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Emphatic Answer and Haziya
Emphatic Answer ran well over this course and distance last year. She'll enjoy the ground so we're hoping for a good run. Haziya got black type two starts ago at Killarney and now comes back in trip after her last run at Gowran. We think that will suit her and we're hoping for some further black type.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Maude Gone Spirit and Ha Ha Ha
We'd like to get some black type with them both. I don't think an ease in the ground will be an issue for either of them.

Mehnah: has her first start in 18 monthsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Kevin Prendergast, trainer of Mehnah
It's her first start for 18 months and, whatever she does here, I think she'll improve for the run. She's got some lovely form from having just three runs.

Andrew Slattery, trainer of Flame Of Eire
I thought she'd be a Listed filly but not necessarily this year. She's come up through the ranks very well. She has plenty to find on ratings, but I think she's improved since her last start at Listowel.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Sunset Shiraz
She's entitled to come forward from her first run after a break at the Curragh, but she'll need to. Her work seems to be better at home since then so hopefully he'll improve. She should be able to cope with an ease in the ground.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Toy
She seems to be in good form and is ready to start back. It's her first run after a break and we felt this trip might be nice to start her off over. Hopefully she'll run a nice race.

The Racing Post fully supports Safer Gambling Week and acknowledges it as an excellent opportunity for us all to reflect on whether we keep our gambling in check. Although Safer Gambling Week is only seven days, its message is ongoing and remains important. We have lots of resources available on our dedicated Safer Gambling page and more details can be found at safergamblinguk.org.