P J McDonald rides Sam Maximus at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Tom Dascombe is bullish about the prospects of Sam Maximus in the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on Friday.
The son of Showcasing has strong Group-race form, particularly from the July Stakes at Newmarket — where he was only beaten half a length in third place behind Lusail.
The winner has gone on to land the Gimcrack Stakes, and runner-up Asymmetric took the Richmond — while Ebro River, who was fourth, has lifted the Group One Phoenix Stakes.
Sam Maximus, who will be ridden this evening by regular partner P J McDonald, then went down by a length when fourth in a Group Three contest at Deauville this month.
“The form is solid, and we must go there with a very good chance,” said Dascombe.
“We didn’t have him entered in many big races. It looks like a serious chance of getting a Group winner.” Drombeg Banner steps up in class and trip after opening his account in a Cork maiden over five furlongs, but his trainer Ken Condon has plenty of faith in the Starspangledbanner gelding.
“He’s a nice horse. I think he has a decent future ahead of him,” said the County Kildare trainer.
“A step up is required. He’s just come from maiden company, but he won it nicely.
“The ground will be a bit drier, but I don’t think that will inconvenience him.
“We’ll see where we’re going afterwards, but we think he’s up to that standard and hope he’ll run well.”
Andy Slattery is hoping the ground does not dry out too much for Solene Lilyette in the Group Three Snow Fairy Fillies’ Stakes.
He said: “She’s been in great shape since the last day. She has to improve, but Andrew (son and jockey) said he had a bit left.
“He thought she won snug enough, and I don’t see why there’s any reason why she won’t improve again.
“We’ll see, but the ground wouldn’t want to dry up much more because I don’t want to chance her on good to firm ground. The ground is lovely at the moment (good). Everything else is good, so hopefully she’ll run.”
The third Group Three heat on the card is the Manguard Plus Irish EBF Flame Of Tara Stakes, in which Joseph O’Brien saddles Naas maiden winner Albula
His father Aidan is two-handed, with newcomer Lullaby and Kiss You Later
Condon saddles big-handicap regular Ice Cold In Alex in the Paddy Power Irish Cambridgeshire
“He’s been a standing dish in some of those races over the years. It was great he got another win under his belt recently,” he said.
“He’s up to a career high of 88, so it will be tough ask, but the young lad’s 7lb claim will alleviate some of that.
“He always seems to run well at the Curragh — but it’s a big field, and a bit of luck is required.”
The Slattery stable are giving Dedillon the chance to see if she is up to this level, after winning a 16-runner handicap at Galway.
“She’s in good form — but whether she’s up to this class I don’t know,” said the Thurles trainer.
“The handicapper has her on 87 now — which to me seems a high rating — but we’ll just have to go and see what happens. There is nowhere else to go with her, so we might as well have a go.”
