Irish Stallion Farms EBF Star Appeal Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 1m 24.52s

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(1)

Battle Of Jericho^t⁷⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien

7/2

Maiden winner at Leopardstown over 6f in July on third start, didn't have to work hard for that success. Likely plenty more to come, represents top yard on AW bow.

Form: 341

(2)

Lake Volta²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97

4/1

British raider with two wins from five starts, both over 6f on decent surfaces, not disgraced in Kempton Group 3 on AW bow last month over same trip. Top trainer has 10-39 record at this track (0-2 previous 12 months).

Form: 71133

(7)

Lethal Steps²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 95

9/4

Has two wins from starts, ran fair race in 7f Curragh Group 1 when last spotted. Makes AW debut with trainer/jockey in blistering form and must be on considered.

Form: 1125

(5)

Riyazan¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: M Halford| OR: 103| D

11/4

Iffraaj colt won his maiden over this trip in August at the Curragh, since posted two very credible efforts in Group-race company and looks a major player on AW bow.

Form: 145

(6)

Damselfly¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 83

50/1

Filly won a heavy ground Down Royal maiden over 5f last month, though she has plenty to find on ratings making her polytrack debut now going up in trip.

Form: 323415

(3)

Grace Rafaela⁴⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: W J Lee| T: M O'Callaghan| CD

8/1

Good effort behind Butterscotch on debut at Naas in June and improved to win C&D maiden here in August on second start. Likely to take another step forward now and not discounted despite quality of opposition.

Form: 31

(4)

Liberty Lass²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: E Mullins

100/1

Well beaten off on debut in 7f Leopardstown maiden last month, finishing 9¾ in arrears of potentially smart Lightning Quick. This is asking for a major leap forward to get involved in the shake-up even.

Form: 0

Forecasts

Lethal Steps (9/4), Riyazan (11/4), Battle Of Jericho (7/2), Lake Volta (4/1), Grace Rafaela (8/1), Damselfly (50/1), Liberty Lass (100/1)

Battle Of Jericho is much-respected given his trainer has taken this prize four times in the last five years, but he's conceding experience to some decent rivals this evening and that might prove telling when push comes to shove. Despite finishing last of five, Riyazan wasn't beaten all that far in a Group 2 last time and the soft ground there might not have been to his benefit. He can bounce back and lay down a challenge while British challenger Lake Volta is also a threat after a good run at Kempton in a Group 3 last month. Soft ground might not have been ideal for LETHAL STEPS last time out either, but he still ran a commendable race in Group 1 company. With Colin Keane desperate for winners in his bid to be champion jockey, the Lethal Force colt can show his metal on this surface to land this valuable prize. Progressive filly Grace Rafaela isn't ruled out and can take another step forward here without necessarily taking the top billing.