Easy ground a plus for Bloomfield says McCreery

Queally Group Naas Irish EBF Oaks Trial (Listed) | 3yo fillies | 1m2f | ATR

Willie McCreery believes that ease in the ground at Naas will play to the strengths of Bloomfield when she steps up from her maiden win on yielding to soft ground at the Curragh early this month.

That debut victory was achieved by three and a quarter lengths over tonight's trip and McCreery said yesterday: "The rain they've had will be a big boost for Bloomfield's chances and if they get more then all the better.

"She's in good form and the big galloping track should suit her well."

Dermot Weld, who has sent out three of the last five winners of the event, is represented by Frima who has been placed on both her previous starts, more recently when runner-up to Black Ruby, a rival again tonight, over tonight's distance at Fairyhouse early this month.

Weld said of the daughter of Frankel: "Frima is very well but the ground is a concern. We certainly don't want any more rain for her."

Elusive Duchess was a 33-1 shot when scoring over one mile on her debut at Listowel early this month and her trainer Adrian Keatley believes she is fully entitled to step up in grade.

He said: "We are throwing her in at the deep end a little bit but she impressed us enough in Listowel to justify running in a race like this and hopefully she can be there or thereabouts.

"In fairness to her she couldn't have done it any easier at Listowel and she came out of the race well so we might as well let her take her chance."

Elusive Duchess (grey) won at odds of 33-1 on debut at ListowelCredit: Patrick McCann

Michael Halford said of Leopardstown maiden winner, Petticoat: "She came out of her win very well. The extra two furlongs shouldn't be a problem and it will tell us where she might fit in for the rest of the season."

Butterflies, beaten a neck in the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork on her most recent start, drops back in trip and is blinkered for the first time. She is one of three runners for Aidan O'Brien who is also represented by Key To My Heart and Elizabeth Browning.

The Jim Bolger-trained Vociferous Marina has won at this level and trip and will be attempting to bounce back from a moderate effort in the Gallinule Stakes on her most recent start.