Irish racing today

Today is an Irish holiday and Naas stages a good card, headed by the Group Three Coolmore Stud Fillies Stakes for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 17.10 CET. The sponsor won this last year with Lillie Langtry and try again with Catherineofaragon (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh), an easy winner at Dundalk last time, but like most of the field moving up sharply in class. The only filly proven at a better level is the sole British raider, Kevin Ryan´s Geesala (Pat Smullen), who won the listed Hilary Needler over 5 furlongs at Beverley last time. If she gets the extra distance, she should win. The listed Sprint Stakes at 16.40 is over 5 furlongs and looks quite tricky, as several of these have met before. Rain Delayed (Ger Lyons/ Keagan Latham) won narrowly from Miss Gorica (Joanna Morgan/ Wayne Lordan) at Cork over 6 furlongs, with Wrong Answer 4th and Snaefell 5th. The form may well be reversed this time and we fancy that the consistent Snaefell (Mike Halford/ Murtagh) may come out best . especially if there is some juice in the ground.

There is also jumping at Listowel, where the most interesting runner could be Sarteano (Dessie Hughes/ Roger Loughran) in the 2 mile handicap hurdle at 15.20. He has come back to form recently, winning a chase at Down Royal a month ago and then on the flat at Tramore on Saturday. He can complete an unusual hat-trick today.