Rex aiming for Naas breakthrough Gee Rex is the highest-rated runner on an eight-race card at Naas on Wednesday. John Hayden’s colt finished fourth in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh in May and was not disgraced when eighth behind star juvenile Calyx in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Gee Rex finished last of six on his next start in the Anglesey Stakes, but fared better when stepped up to a mile for the first time last month, placing third in a race won by Mount Everest. He tackles a mile once more in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden and sets the standard under Chris Hayes. The Ger Lyons-trained Dumouriez also brings decent form to the table, while newcomers from the yards of Dermot Weld (Egrecio) and Jim Bolger (Flow Of Words) are worth a market check. Lyons and stable jockey Colin Keane combine with an interesting runner in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden in My Laureate. The Glenburnie team send this daughter of Rajj back into action quickly after running at Leopardstown on Saturday. My Laureate got across to lead from a bad draw in that Listed event, but it was no surprise to see her fade out of contention late on. Back in grade and distance, the Lyons inmate should figure more prominently. Empire State is perhaps the one to be on in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden. Aidan O’Brien’s charge was a promising third behind two horses now rated in the 90s on his debut at Dundalk, but disappointed when a hot favourite next time at Cork. He was found to be lame post-race, but has had been given plenty of time to recover and deserves another chance to prove his worth. Joseph O’Brien has his string in fine form and he has three runners in the naasracecourse.com Nursery Handicap. Down Royal victor Colfer Me is the choice of the trainer’s brother Donnacha O’Brien, ahead of stable companions Calorific (Wayne Lordan) and Vhagar (Seamie Heffernan).
