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Four things to watch out for on the first day of the Irish Flat season at Naas

Amedeo Modigliani: bids to get back on track at Leopardstown
Amedeo Modigliani: set for first outing since maiden victory at the Galway festival in August 2017Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

1. Amedeo Modigliani makes belated return

He was the Derby favourite around this time last year but a series of small setbacks deprived us of seeing Amedeo Modigliani at all at three and now what we all want to know is can he make up for lost time as a four-year-old.

He makes his first start since running away with a Galway maiden 596 days ago in the Listed Devoy Stakes (4.45) and Aidan O'Brien is hoping to find out whether middle-distances or a mile will be his bread and butter this season.


Aidan O'Brien maps out Guineas plan for Middle Park winner Ten Sovereigns


"Amedeo didn't run last year and he's just ready to start off. We think he'll take a big step forward from what he does but we were keen to get him started. We're not sure yet how far he is going to go as he does show us a lot of pace at home. We have a few different options later in the year, but we'll get Naas out of the way and see how that goes," O'Brien said.

Standing in Amedeo Modigliani's way is Still Standing, a winner of four of his last five starts, and Jessica Harrington thinks the ground will be right up his street.

She said: "Still Standing finished last year on a great note, despite the fact the ground was not ideal for him. He needs soft ground to be at his best, which he'll get here, and he seems in great form at home."

2. Can anything follow the Awtaad path?

The Madrid Handicap (3.05) over 7f was the first stepping-stone of a stunning season for Awtaad in 2016 with Kevin Prendergast's colt going on to land the Irish 2,000 Guineas later in the season. Could there be a Classic contender lurking in this year's line-up?

Awtaad: Irish 2,000 Guineas winner returns after a disappointing Sussex run
Awtaad: won the Madrid Handicap in 2016 before Classic gloryCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien, who is represented by San Andreas and Never No More, said of his pair: "We're just feeling our way with San Andreas and he'll improve a lot for the run. He could step up in trip later in the season. Never No More is just ready to start off and he does show us a lot of pace at home."

Jessica Harrington thought enough of Chicas Amigas as a juvenile to bring her to Royal Ascot for the Albany Stakes, where she finished seventh, and hopes she will handle these softer conditions, ground she expects Dandys Ocean to adore.

"They're in great from and Dandys Ocean will definitely go on the ground. I think Chicas Amigas will too, she's never run on it but that's not her fault as it was a very dry summer last year. She's by Dragon Pulse and they always like a nice dig in the ground. It's a bit of an unknown but she should handle it," Harrington said.

Richard Fahey reports Wasntexpectingthat to have wintered well so he will be expecting a big run from last year's Beverley winner.

The trainer said: "It's a warm race but track, trip and ground should suit him. He's done well over the winter, he's been gelded and we'e happy with him."

3. Can Fairy claim gold in Group 3?

Dermot Weld has won the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes (3.40) twice in the last five years, including with Making Light 12 months ago, and he will fancy his chances of improving his fine record in the race with the classy Yulong Gold Fairy who ought to relish conditions.

She won a Listed event on soft ground at the Galway festival in 2018 and, with a rating of 105 which is 6lb superior to anything else in the line-up, she could prove a tough nut to crack.

Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with Galway maiden winner Delphinia.

"She's in good form. She won her maiden in Galway and we think she'll get much further than a mile," O'Brien said.

The striking Dawn Approach pictured as a two-year-old
The striking Dawn Approach pictured as a two-year-oldCredit: Patrick McCann

4. Is there a Dawn Approach lurking in opener?

The first race of the Irish Flat season, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (1.30), produced a superstar in 2012 when Dawn Approach justified even-money favouritism and every year since we have been on the lookout for something to follow in his huge footsteps.

Brendan Duke won the race last year with 20-1 outsider Pride Of Pimlico and on Sunday he is represented by Value Chain in the colours of Jackie Bolger. Can lightning strike twice?

"He's well drawn and we've done plenty with him. He'll know his job and I have no doubt he'll win races down the line, but he will improve for the run," Duke said of Value Chain.


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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 23 March 2019inBritain

Last updated 11:16, 24 March 2019

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