Akira pictured on her way to victory at Gowran last year© Photo Healy Racing
Shay Barry feels a slight drop in grade and trip can have the desired effect on Akira in the Clodovil EBF Garnet Stakes at Naas this afternoon.
The four-year-old filly has found distances further than a mile just beyond her in two Group Three races but is now back to a mile.
She is also up against Listed company, having been placed in two similar races at Cork and Killarney in August.
"She should run well. Her last couple of races have been in Group Three class," said the County Waterford trainer.
"She ran a cracker in Gowran the last day. A mile is her ideal trip and she's been in good form since that race, so I expect a big run out of her. Hopefully she'll be knocking on the door." Sea Coast has been a model of consistency this season, being in the first three in seven of her eight starts.
While appreciating she has to show some improvement to take a hand in proceedings, trainer Michael Halford feels she won't be out of place in this line-up.
"She's got rock-solid form and is a very genuine filly," said Halford.
"She needs to step up on the ratings, but she's entitled to take her chance and I hope she runs well." Kanes Pass is seeking a hat-trick after wins in handicaps at Roscommon and Listowel, but this represents a hike in class.
"This is a big step up, but she's won six times for her owner-breeder," said trainer Willie McCreery.
"She's a tough, hardy filly and we're just trying to sneak a bit of black type and if we could, we'd be delighted. We've nothing to lose."
It is a competitive field with Aidan O'Brien running Beyond Brilliance and Shell House
David Wachman is triple-handed with Harpist Dark Skies and Fastnet Mist while Dermot Weld saddles I'm Yours and Tommy Stack has an interesting player in Waltzing Matilda
