Could It Be Love (left) found Xenobia half a length too good on her penultimate start at Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Classic runner-up Could It Be Love bids to record a second career victory in the Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes at Naas on Wednesday.
The daughter of War Front chased home star filly Alpha Centauri in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in May and while she has failed to get her head in front in five starts since, this Listed contest represents a drop in class following three successive appearances at Group Three level.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: "Could It Be Love seems to be in good form since her last run.
"We were a little bit disappointed with her at York (finished eighth in Summer Stakes), but she seems well since and we are looking forward to running her back at Naas."
Could It Be Love faces 12 rivals over six furlongs.
Her opponents include the Ger Lyons-trained Blue Uluru who steps up from handicap company, Joseph O’Brien's Now You’re Talking and Mamba Noire from Ken Condon's yard.
Could It Be Love's stable companion Threeandfourpence enjoys an even bigger drop in grade in the Golden Ticket Package Race.
The three-year-old has finished fourth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and eighth in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on his two most recent outings and has significantly less on his plate in this conditions event.
Jim Bolger ’s Theobald Mick Halford’s course and distance winner Kerineya and the Ger Lyons-trained newcomer First Response take him on.
Joseph O’Brien’s horses are hitting the bullseye with regularity at present and one who will not be winning out of turn of striking gold in the O'Neill & Co. Chartered Surveyors & Auctioneers Maiden is National Glory
The 82-rated son of Invincible Spirit has been placed on each of his last four starts, including three recent runner-up efforts, and might prove good enough as he bids to continue his Melbourne Cup-winning trainer's hot streak.
O'Brien's Focus Of Attention again under the trainer’s brother Donnacha, might be able to add the opening Bunoscionn Perform At Naas Handicap to a recent Fairyhouse win, despite a 9lb hike in the weights.
