Independence Day© Photo Healy Racing
He may be just out of maiden company but Independence Day is arguably the one to aim at in the Listed Excelebration Tipperary Stakes.
The beautifully bred two-year-old, a son of Dansili, out of star juvenile from back in 2004, Damson, looked something a bit special when sluicing home by five lengths at Down Royal three weeks back.
Anyone in any doubt about the worth of that form got their answer at Naas on Wednesday evening when the runner-up on that occasion, Reckless Endeavour, turned out for his next start.
Reckless Endeavour's trainer Ger Lyons was adamant his charge met something out of the ordinary at Down Royal, and he was proved correct when his Kodiac colt went on to take what appeared to be a decent maiden.
One handler, Joe Murphy, responsible for Fit For Function is under no illusion about the task facing his recent Fairyhouse victor, against Independence Day and company.
He said: "He's very well, and he's very fresh, and he's in such good order that we said we'd make an entry for him. We'd be hoping he might be placed.
"Prize-money of over four and half grand down to third place isn't to be sniffed at, but David Wachman's horse (Independence Day) looks the clear pick.
"With a bit of luck the grey filly, Zebgrey will make the running. We're drawn one, she's drawn on the outside, so there should be plenty of pace.
"The five furlongs at Tipperary is an easy five so I'm thinking that if they go too fast we might just sneak into a place."
The fillies are out in force for this eight-horse heat and along with the aforementioned Zebgrey there's Godolphin and Willie McCreery's Shrill one from one after her win at Cork in mid-June. Promised Money and Taisce Naisiunta (a course and distance scorer and blinkered now) locked horns in the Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies' Sprint Stakes and they clash again. Third and fifth in that Listed event at Naas at the start of June, the pair need considering now too.
