Sound Of Lightning can make some noise at Navan
Sound Of Lightning made quite a good impression on her racing debut and the filly can get off the mark at the second time of asking by taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3YO Spring Series Median Auction Maiden, the sixth race on Saturday afternoon's card in Navan.
Trained by Donnacha O'Brien, the homebred Flaxman Stables filly is out of an unraced daughter to the brilliant Six Perfections, and she showed that she inherited plenty of ability when third on debut in a race won by J M's Joy.
That was four weeks ago, at the Curragh, and there is every reason to believe she can be considerably better this time. She was a little slow to find stride that day but made good progress into midfield before striding out well in the closing stages to take third spot.
Drawn low here, she has every opportunity to take up a more prominent and favourable position through the early stages of this race, and she can improve enough to account for the experienced pair, Nobler and Vorfreude, and the promising Reyenzi.
Zipster was a real eyecatcher on his recent return to the turf, at Leopardstown, and in the expectation of even better this time, he will go close in the Arkle Bar Handicap.
The remarkable Kyprios is bidding for a third win in the listed Bar One Racing Vintage Crop Stakes and, at odds of around 1-5, he is hardly a betting proposition.
This is a repeat of his start to last season, when he won here before going to the Saval Beg and on to the Gold Cup at Ascot, and onwards to a perfect season of seven wins. The seven-year-old is the standout stayer at the moment and has little to fear from his opponents here. Enfranchise and Leinster can push him closest.
The best race on the card is the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes and while Catalina Delcarpio is raw in terms of experience — she made her debut just 17 days ago — she is an exciting sort and can take the step up in grade in her stride.
Well backed to make a winning start in what looked like a good maiden, she travelled strongly, made rapid progress around the final bend, and quickened away to win as she pleased. It was tremendously impressive and if she does not find this race coming too soon, she will take some beating.
Tarima has a similar profile and must be respected, while Ecstatic and Spicy Margarita have plenty of experience and are capable of hitting the frame.
The listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Committed Stakes is a bit of a puzzle, but Whistlejacket sets the standard on two-year-old form and will take beating if forward enough for his return.
He was a couple of lengths in front of stablemate Ides Of March, who re-opposes, when they met in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and the Prix Morny winner can improve further this season.
He can take this at the expense of his old rival, while Bodhi Bear has race fitness on his side and the evidence of his comeback victory in Cork suggests he is upwardly mobile and has a profitable season in front of him.
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That's bad news for Cathedral, Cercene, Falakeyah, January and Kon Tiki. Stick with horses with no more than one defeat this season. Duty First, Exactly, Flight and Simmering come up short on that score. Chantilly Lace was fifth last time which is far from ideal which leaves just one horse standing – ZARIGANA. Exactly , third in that same French Guineas, brings toughness and consistency. She's never run a bad race and could easily be in the mix again for Ballydoyle. Although she's not the choice of Ryan Moore who is on January. She was second in the Fillies' Mile last season and looked rusty in the Irish Guineas on comeback. She should leave that form behind here. Kon Tiki is unexposed and unbeaten in three, with a Listed win at York the latest step forward. William Buick gets the leg up for the first time for Jane Chapple-Hyam who doesn't chase rainbows. Chantilly Lace wasn't disgraced when fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and is open to more. 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Sandringham Stakes trends Stick with horses that finished in the first three last time. Tabiti, Serving With Style, Mojave River, Sweet Chariot, Amangani, Nancy J, Trad Jazz, Cartwheel, Purple Rainbow and Bassadanza. Oolong Poobong, Saariselka, Dash Of Azure, Cajole, Sea Poetry, Annsar, Dancing Teapot, Alfareqa, Ryke, Arabian Leopard and Eazy On The Eye are too low in the official ratings. Bountiful has been off for too long and can be crossed out. A win this season is a plus so Betty Clover, Serving With Style, Miss Nightfall and Never Let Go can go. That leaves Silver Ghost, Supermodel and Zgharta. SUPERMODEL looks good for William Haggas who has a strong record in handicaps like this. The other two are backable at each-way prices and are well drawn so have every chance of making the frame. Tabiti could outclass these if handling a big-field handicap. She won a Group 3 before finishing midfield in the Fillies' Mile and returns in first-time blinkers on handicap debut. Irish raider Dancing Teapot looks the type to improve plenty now handicapping in cheekpieces. Never Let Go was unlucky not to win a Listed race last time – this stiff mile might be right up her alley. Dash Of Azure was impressive at Kempton on comeback and won't be far away for Ralph Beckett. 5.35 ZAHRANN is a colt who still doesn't know how good he is. He missed the kick and was green as grass in a Leopardstown Listed race last time yet still burned past all of them to win going away. That was just his third run and the way he did it – powering clear despite inexperience – screamed Group 1 potential. If he grows up a bit, they might not see which way he went. The unbeaten Amiloc is the obvious danger. He comes here with a perfect record after four wins including at Listed level. He stayed on strongly at Goodwood and will be even more dangerous if settling better. Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with Puppet Master who's improving with every run. He won the Lingfield Derby Trial last time after shaping well in the Ballysax. He's a threat. Don't rule out Convergent , who finished third in the Chester Vase. He was behind Lambourn and Lazy Griff – the Derby first and second. That's rock-solid form and he's still learning his craft. Wimbledon Hawkeye has turned up for every dance. He was second in the Craven, fifth in the Guineas, third in the Dante. He's gritty, reliable and should stay the trip with cheekpieces added. He has every chance of making the frame. Nightwalker bombed at Epsom but that wasn't his track – and it showed. He finished well in the Dante and now gets blinkers on a proper galloping course. That should bring improvement. Galveston cost 'The Lads' at Ballydoyle a cool £2m and showed more when winning at Naas last month. This longer trip should suit him. It's early days for Opportunity who was behind Amiloc at Goodwood after being hampered. He could close the eight-length gap between them today. 6.10 REALIGN can strike on handicap debut from what looks a lenient opening mark of 93. William Haggas' colt oozed class at Salisbury last month, hammering his rivals on comeback. That was over six furlongs but he's got more than enough pace for this drop to the minimum. Stormy Impact looks dangerous after rattling home to win the Epsom 3YO Dash in some style. She's up 5lb but has a blistering turn of foot and this stiffer track might suit even better. Ruby's Profit was a good third in that race when forcing the pace and is back from the same handicap mark with a chance. He was beaten by Redorange at Chester last month who made the most of a good draw. He's 9lb higher now so will have to pull out more. Hammer The Hammer made it three wins on the spin at Chester with lots left in the locker. He's another who has been racing over further but he likes to blast off from the front so this stiff five furlongs should be fine. Jorge Alvares warrants respect after a decent effort at The Curragh 16 days ago. He looks fairly handicapped for Ger Lyons. Maw Lam drops down from Listed and Group company with a 7lb claimer on board to make his mark workable. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
