Irish Eyes: Washington wager
Our Irish Eyes column focuses on today's stellar card at Naas with Washington DC strongly fancied to go in again.
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Today's Naas card has been advertised as trials day for Royal Ascot and has produced fields worthy of such a billing with fantastic action from start to finish.
Washington DC was a Royal Ascot winner last season and lines up in today's Group 3 Lacken Stakes in a bid to book his place in the Commonwealth Cup.
He was a winner for this column two weeks ago at 13/8 and there's no reason to desert him again today. Although it was a Listed event then and he takes a step up again today, the reality is the opposition are of a similar level to what he took on last time out and he should really prevail again.
We had mentioned previously that Seamus Heffernan is key to the horse in that he was in the saddle for two of his Listed wins and his Group 1 second. Having raced without cover under Ryan Moore at Ascot, Heffernan ensured Washington DC got plenty of cover amongst runners last time out before making a decisive move.
Heffernan is usurped by Moore today, naturally, and he rides the second string today. However Heffernan will ensure that Moore knows exactly how to extract the best out of the son of Zoffany - basically ensure he gets plenty of cover - and it should be a relatively straightforward task. 6/4 looks a decent price.
Anamba is a filly that has been held in the highest regard by Michael Halford, and he was happy to reveal as much long before she made her winning debut in a hot maiden at Leopardstown on Irish Champions weekend beating Coolmore.
The latter overturned the form a couple of weeks later, looking to outstay Anamba by half a length at the line in the Group 3 Park Stakes.
Anamba is making her seasonal debut today as she drops back in class to a Listed event and takes on the colts for the first time.
She was being prepared for at tilt at the Irish 1000 Guineas last weekend only to be withdrawn when there was an ease in the ground, so her fitness is not in doubt for today's mission.
Much more of a worry is that she takes on the colts for the first time.
The likes of Yuften is fit following an impressive win at Dundalk recently and of course he once finished second to Charm Spirit in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat before being disqualified.
Tennessee Wildcat has won four times, including at a Listed level in Leopardstown last year and despite making his debut today he will be mad fit as he is a lead horse at home for Lockinge third Endless Drama.
However, both the aforementioned have to give 16lb and upwards to the Halford filly and it could be the 3yo colt from the Weld stable that gives Anamba the most trouble today.
Embiran has a very good run under his belt this season when he finished third in the Tetrarch behind subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas winner and third Awtaad and Blue De Vega and in normal circumstances that would see him as the pick in today's race but Anamba is on trial for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in just under three weeks, so she will need to be winning this to book her place there.
She is available at top-priced 3/1 and appeals as an even safer bet at 2/1 in the betting without Embiran.
Anamba's trainer, Halford, introduced a crack juvenile at Dundalk in the form of Yulong Baobei and she makes her second appearance in the Coolmroe Listed EBF Sprint Stakes but it is unknown as to whether or not she can see out today's extra furlong and therefore Wayside Flower gets the each-way vote at a top-priced 11/2.
This is a race to watch with plenty of Queen Mary and Albany prospects in the line up.
Irish Eyes Selections
Nap: Washington DC, 4.25 - 6/4 Skybet
Next Best: Anamba, 2.35 Naas - 2/1 (without Embiran)
Each-Way: Wayside Flower, 3.40 Naas - 11/2
