Trethias seeking second Naas Listed win in Garnet Stakes

Trethias, winner of the Oaks Trial over the course in June, returns to Naas seeking a second Listed success in today’s Garnet Stakes (3.30) after a solid effort at Newmarket last weekend when she finished fourth in the Darley Pride Stakes.

Her trainer Jessica Harrington said on Saturday: “Trethias ran very well at Newmarket and is in good form. She’s dropping down two furlongs in trip and hopefully on soft ground that might suit. Another Listed win would enhance her pedigree.”

Shane Foley’s mount faces 13 rivals in the 1m event, including the British-trained pair Shepherd Market and Iconic Choice, whose trainer Tom Dascombe enjoyed Group 3 success with Dr Simpson at Dundalk on Friday night.

Colin Keane, who landed three consecutive runnings of the race between 2015 and 2017, rides the Clive Cox-trained Shepherd Market, who is visored for the first time.

Although she has won only once in 13 starts, Simply Beautiful carries good recent form into the other Listed event on the card, the 1m4f Bluebell Stakes (4.00).

Simply Beautiful: 'going back up in distance shouldn’t be a problem for her”Credit: Patrick McCann

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly ran third in the Darley Pride Stakes eight days ago having finished second in another Group 3 event over Sunday's trip at Newmarket last month.

O’Brien said: “We’ve been happy with Simply Beautiful this week and going back up in distance shouldn’t be a problem for her.”

The Ballydoyle filly’s rivals include the Paddy Twomey-trained Loveisthehigherlaw, winner of both her starts and another dual winner Camphor, whose trainer Jessica Harrington said: “She lost in a photo-finish over the trip at Galway last time. She stays well and also goes well on soft ground, so we’re hoping for a big run.”

Noel Meade, best known for his accomplishments with jumpers, has enjoyed a fine Flat campaign and he is four-handed in the final of the Foran Equine Auction Race (2.55) Series, a 7f juvenile event which carries a first-prize of €71,160.

Noel Meade: saddles four runners in the final of the Foran Equine Auction RaceCredit: Patrick McCann

Meade said: "Layfayette has the best form of our four. His work has been very good, but I'm a bit concerned about the soft ground. Luke Short might also prefer better conditions, whereas Crassus should handle the ground okay. First Thing hasn't really shown on the track what he shows us at home, and we think he's a decent horse."

Also fielding a team of four is Ger Lyons with dual winner Brunelle having the best credentials of the quartet.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Champers Elysees, the mount of title-chasing apprentice Andrew Slattery, and the Aidan O'Brien-trained topweight Mount Fuji, who is blinkered for the first time, are among the leading contenders for the Birdcatcher Nursery over 6f.

The line-up also includes Flaming Moon who became trainer Matthew Smith's first two-year-old winner when scoring at Navan 11 days ago.

"We think a lot of him and we think he's a nice horse," said Smith. "He has a nice light weight and is a versatile horse who seems to go on any ground. Hopefully he can run well."

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