Who's Steph, near side© Photo Healy Racing
Who’s Steph will bid to return to winning ways in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes at Gowran Park on today.
The Ger Lyons-trained Zoffany grey is by far the highest-rated runner in the six-strong field — and was twice successful at Group Three level last season.
She was second on her return to action at Cork last month over a mile and a half and drops back in trip for this extended nine-furlong Listed heat.
Aidan O’Brien’s Credenza is an interesting runner — receiving a handy three-year-old allowance from her elders — while five-times winner Surrounding is another with solid claims for Mick Halford.
Colin Keane will be aboard Who’s Steph and again teams up with Lyons in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race with Basic Law.
Successful at this venue on his second start, the Lawman gelding faces stiff opposition in the shape of Could Be King
This John Oxx-trained colt was a fine third in the Listed Ballylinch Stud 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown last month, and on a mark of 102, he should prove difficult to beat.
Lyons and Keane are represented by Inflection Point in the opening BetVictor Bet #5 Get #30 Offer Maiden, and he can be expected to go close in first-time blinkers.
Keane has been booked to partner Grande Vadrouille in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap and this Michael O’Meara trained four-year-old is an interesting contender.
A three-times winner in France, the daughter of Smart Strike has not had a run since last June, but might be able to make her presence felt with just 8st 11lb on her back.
The consistent Thiswaycadeaux Joseph O’Brien’s Crotchet and the chestnut Annie Fior are more obvious players in this valuable one-mile contest.
Recent winners Meryems Way and Gatsby Cap are sure to have plenty of supporters in the Honda Mowers & Quads At Murphy Machinery Kilkenny Apprentice Handicap, while the regally-bred Heaven On Earth might be able to make the breakthrough in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
The Lengthen The Odds With BetVictor Handicap has been divided, with both splits appearing to be wide-open affairs.
Recent course runner-up Midnitemudcrabs should give a good account of herself in the first division, while Solomons Seal looks the safest option in the second.
