Monica among Stanerra Stakes nine Santa Monica came up short in the Pretty Polly Stakes but is expected to find Thursday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown much more to her liking. Charles O'Brien's charge won last month's Munster Oaks at Cork but failed to cut much ice when upped to Group One level, finishing a nine-length eighth behind Nezwaah. This is obviously a step down but Santa Monica will have to concede weight to progressive three-year-olds Wild Irish Rose, Wingingit and Tilly's Chilli. Battle Of Jericho has performed with plenty of credit in races won by good juveniles and he sets a decent standard in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Mattymolls Gaga was a couple of places behind him when fifth at this venue and he goes to post for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. The most interesting here is perhaps Dermot Weld's newcomer Sandaryann, who is a half-brother to former top French filly Sarafina. Fior Cliste broke through here last week and has a 6lb penalty to contend with in the Riptide Movement Handicap. Tom Dooley attempts to back up his Roscommon success in the ICON Apprentice Handicap, while recent Tipperary scorer El Tren will be hard to beat in the Manguard Plus Handicap.
