Rumplestiltskin should wake things up nicely

Racing/ Naas preview : It was an ultimately disappointing Group One weekend for Ballydoyle, but the future could look a little…

Racing/ Naas preview: It was an ultimately disappointing Group One weekend for Ballydoyle, but the future could look a little brighter for Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon if Rumplestiltskin can score at Naas this afternoon.

The €80,000 Swordlestown Stud Sprint Stakes was the second step towards Group One glory for Damson last year, and Rumplestiltskin also comes here on the back of a debut win.

That came over five furlongs here when she only got her act together late to beat Always A Star by half a length.

There should be significant improvement for the step up to six furlongs, and for the experience, but there will need to be against a strong field.

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The form of Waterways' win at the Curragh got a huge boost from Ba Foxtrot at Epsom on Saturday, but she has to concede 5lb all round, while the sole cross-sea challenger, Dixie Belle, won her only race at Redcar by eight lengths.

The other Listed race at Naas is the five furlong sprint, where Osterhase tries to repeat last year's narrow success.

That set up John Mulhern's horse for a lucrative 2004, which included a fine run in the Abbaye, and there appeared to be no lessening of ability when Osterhase reappeared at Fairyhouse.

A defeat of Turnkey and Russian Blue should set the 113-rated horse perfectly for this task where the only priority will be raw speed.

Fallon looks to have picked up a number of good outside rides on Aunty Euro and Take A Tangle, but his mount in the mile and a quarter maiden, Down Mexico Way, could be one to avoid.

The 92-rated horse has disappointed in the past, as has the well bred Society Milliner, so the safest option could be the Green Desert filly Sogno Verde, who ran a nice race behind Sweet Firebird at Clonmel.

Her stable companion Artist's Muse goes to Tralee for the mile maiden, and John Oxx looks to have found a perfect opportunity for the filly who was third to Society Hostess at Gowran.

Ruby Walsh has been snapped up by Adrian Maguire for the ride on Hardwick in the maiden hurdle, while the champion jockey will also be on board Oh My Lord in the handicap chase.

Ercodi's debut when third to Man Of Repute at Fairyhouse looks to read pretty well in the bumper and can score for the John Kiely stable.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column