16:00 Naas

Saturday 13 April 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Gladness Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 1m 28.25s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Romanised^t¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: W J Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 117

5/1

Irish 2,000 Guineas winner but hasn't managed to back that effort up since and benefited from them going too hard from the front in his Classic success. Of limited appeal back down at this trip, despite the drop in class.

Form: 2/61759-

(8)

Imaging¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 105| CD

7/2

Progressive last year and won a Listed race on his return at Leopardstown last week. Had plenty in hand that day and well worth a crack at this level once again; likely to be delivered late again.

Form: 12152-1

(9)

Le Brivido³⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF| D

5/2

Just touched off in French 2,000 Guineas when runner-up to Brametot (winner of subsequent Group 1). Made amends for the loss with a Group 3 win at Royal Ascot and while he disappointed last time; improvement on the cards on debut for his new yard.

Form: 1121/6-

(2)

Nebo¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: T Hogan| OR: 100| D

33/1

Group 3 winner at the end of 2017 largely struggled last season, last of 11 at Redcar in October and hard to fancy back in this class of race for his new connections.

Form: 1/60750-

(4)

Psychedelic Funk^b¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 110| CD

8/1

Two-time Group 3 and while clearly not the easiest to train (only made two starts last season) and shaped as if amiss at Tipperary last time, he's a threat in this caliber of race, particularly if there's any more rain.

Form: 1431/19-

(3)

Smash Williams^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 106| D

9/2

Not the easiest to win with but capable at this level, as seen when winning a Listed race at Leopardstown in October, narrowly getting the better of re-opposing Imaging. Plenty to like about his comeback effort and has each-way claims now race fit.

Form: 42231-3

(5)

Texas Rock^p⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Robbie Colgan| T: M C Grassick| OR: 86| CD

50/1

Two-time Listed winner but hasn't won since 2017. Ran okay in a handicap at Leopardstown last week but that would seemingly be his level these days and as his official ratings suggest, he's likely to struggle here.

Form: 8590-03

(7)

Ellthea²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 97| CD

33/1

Group 3 winner in 2017 when a two-year-old but she struggled to land any sort of blow in three runs last year and struggled here on return last month. Has a fair bit to find at this level at present.

Form: 59663-7

(6)

No Needs Never^t1¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| BF| D

8/1

Looked hugely progressive last year culminating in a Listed win at Dundalk in October. Better than what he showed last time in Group 3 class at Leopardstown and respected on his return in first-time tongue-tie getting weight from his elders.

Form: 201415-

Forecasts

Le Brivido (5/2), Imaging (7/2), Smash Williams (9/2), Romanised (5/1), No Needs Never (8/1), Psychedelic Funk (8/1), Nebo (33/1), Ellthea (33/1), Texas Rock (50/1)

LE BRIVIDO is a fascinating contender on his first start for Aidan O'Brien and if he's fully fit for his return, he looks sure to take some beating. It's a tough ask for a three-year-old to win this race but there was plenty to like about No Needs Never campaign as a juvenile and he could run well in first-time headgear. There's little to separate several of these but Smash Williams has the benefit of a prep run and is as consistent as they come.