Somehow bidding to pick up where she left off for O'Brien

4.10 Naas

Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes | Group 3 | Fillies and mares |1m | ATR

Somehow, who ended her three-year-old campaign by blitzing her rivals by seven lengths in a Group 3 event at the Curragh in August, heads a cast of 12 for the first Pattern race of the Irish season.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly also won the Cheshire Oaks before
finishing fourth to Minding in the Investec Oaks and fifth behind Seventh Heaven in the Darley Irish Oaks.

“Somehow seems well and we’re happy with her for her first start of the year. Hopefully, she’ll run a nice race. The ground probably won’t be ideal for her but if it dries out a bit it will help,” said O’Brien of the daughter of Fastnet Rock and triple Group 1 winner Alexandrova.

Czabo, a Listed winner over the trip at Deauville in June, represents Mick Channon while Keith Dalgleish runs Ce La Vie, winner of a 7f maiden in October on her only previous start.

Channon said of Czabo : “She’s in good form and we’re very hopeful. We don’t think she’ll mind the ground.”

Dalgleish said: “Ce La Vie may be thrown in at the deep end but she’ll like the ground and has been in good order since coming back this year. She’s done well over the winter.”

Queen Anne’s Lace, who won the first of her three starts last season, is trained by Dermot Weld for Calumet Farm. Weld said: “She was placed at Listed level last year and we’re hoping she’ll pick up some more black type.”

Flying Fairies, winner of a 1m2f Listed event at Leopardstown in October, will be having her first start since joining John Oxx.