Ainippe© Photo Healy Racing
Ger Lyons looks to have found a good opportunity for Ainippe to start her season off with a victory in the Group Three Canford Cliffs European Breeders Fund Athasi Stakes at the Curragh on Monday.
The four-year-old filly won twice at this level last year, in the Balloyogan and Brownstown Stakes, before signing off with an excellent third at 16/1 behind Classic winner Legatissimo in the Group One Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September. Dolce Strega was highly tried as a juvenile and was rewarded with a Listed place in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh. She got this campaign off to a winning start at Dundalk in April and could be progressive. Peace Envoy showed plenty of potential when making a winning debut on the polytrack last month and ought to go well in the Ivawood European Breeders Fund Race. He has a 5lb penalty to overcome in a contest that Aidan O'Brien has landed in two of the last three years. High Speed could live up to her name in the K Club Handicap. She runs off a light weight and first-time cheekpieces could help her finish closer to the fancied Doc Sportello who beat her by two lengths in Tipperary.
The Cross' SuperValu Handicap is fiercely competitive but a couple to consider are the match fit, and in-form Aared and the unexposed Dundalk winner Aspen Mountain
The big stables are out in force with newcomers for the PG Duffy & Sons Citroen Maiden. Dermot Weld's Dubawi filly Rose De Pierre holds big-race entries and has to be respected.
Weld's Footbridge has been a beaten favourite on both outings but sets the standard in the Keadeen Hotel Maiden, particularly on his neck second to subsequent Group Three winner Queen Blossom in Cork last September.
