Can British raider Sky Majesty defy 7lb penalty in Listed contest? - analysis and key quotes for Naas feature

There was a British winner last year when David O’Meara scored with Nighteyes and it would be no surprise to see a repeat courtesy of the William Haggas-trained Sky Majesty.

The three-year-old was unbeaten in three starts during her juvenile season, two of them at stakes level, including a heavy-ground Group 2 at Chantilly on her final start in October. 

She was a shade disappointing on her return at Chelmsford but her eighth in the Commonwealth Cup last time was a positive. She carries a 7lb penalty due to her Chantilly win but may not be as inconvenienced by the likely going as some of the others.

Three-time Listed winner Lady With The Lamp perhaps has the best chance of keeping the prize on home soil. The Joseph O'Brien-trained filly had two stakes victories in the spring, including beating subsequent Listed winner Vespertilio at Cork in April.

However, a negative is her poor show in the Commonwealth Cup, in which Sky Majesty finished six and a quarter lengths ahead of her. Another question mark is the likelihood that she will be running on the slowest ground she has encountered.

This looks an open race and the Paddy Twomey-trained Super Sox is capable of getting involved if sufficiently ready on her seasonal debut, while Sparkling Sea could step up from her Listed third last time.

Latest going news

Following 7mm of rain in 24 hours, the ground on Monday was described as yielding to soft and the forecast is mainly dry.

What they say

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Super Sox and Bonus Time
Super Sox ran to a high level last year and arguably ran her best race when dropped to six furlongs in the Renaissance Stakes. This race is a good starting point. Bonus Time has been progressive since she made her debut in May. She ran a hell of a race last time over seven furlongs and the drop to six might help.

William Haggas, trainer of Sky Majesty
She's down in class but has a 7lb penalty. We've sent her there because of the ground, which suits her, and I hope she'll run very well.

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Lady With The Lamp
It will be her first go on softer ground, which is an unknown, but she has been a great filly this year with her stakes wins.

Eddie Harty, joint-trainer of Carla Ridge
You can put a line through Ascot. We were maybe shooting too high in a Group 1 but she was badly impeded in the race. She won her maiden at Naas and ran a blinder in the Lacken Stakes there before Ascot.

John Feane, trainer of Charasson
She won well last time. This is a step up in grade and it's a hot race but we expect a nice run from her.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more