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Galway host the only Listed action in the UK and Ireland on Tuesday, with the 1m4f Oyster Stakes forming part of a competitive eight-race card.
Echoes In Rain is an intriguing runner for the Willie Mullins team in the Listed contest, having won the Grade 1 Irish Champion Mares Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April. She found conditions too tough when eighth in the Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot but boasts a fair flat record, with three wins and three placings from eight attempts. The seven-year-old mare showed enough speed in France to win over twelve furlongs and placed a neck second in the Irish Cesarewitch last September. It will be Echoes In Rain's first attempt at Listed level and although the form makes it difficult to assess her ideal distance on the flat, she appears to have the credentials to be involved.
Dermot Weld is represented by the lightly raced Azazat, who will receive an eight pound weight allowance over her older rivals. The three-year-old was third behind subsequent Irish Oaks winner Savethelastdance in a maiden on seasonal reappearance and produced a career-best when runner-up in the Group 3 Munster Oaks. Although the daughter of Camelot was out-class in the Irish Oaks, she returned to better order when runner-up in the Listed Michael John Kennedy Memorial Stakes over ten furlongs at the Curragh. She kept on well in the closing stages and the return to twelve furlongs will be a major positive. The team have also applied first-time cheekpieces, in hope of sharpening the filly up.
Joseph O'Brien is triple-handed in the race and his best chance appears to be Thunder Roll, who was a beaten favourite in a ten furlong Curragh maiden on her last start. The filly did little wrong, but she did not have the speed in the final furlong and the step up to 1m4f is probably ideal. Although no match for Rosscarbery and the re-opposing Azazat, Thunder Roll did well to finish third in the Group 3 Munster Oaks on only her third career start and it would be fair to suggest the daughter of Night Of Thunder is still improving.
WIN: AZAZAT
The Aidan O'Brien team are doubly represented in the 1m½f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (3:50) with Brave And Bold and Grosvenor Square. Brave And Bold is a full-brother to French Listed winner Hidden Dimples whilst Grosvenor Square is a Galileo half-brother to O'Brien's Irish Derby hero Santiago.
Whilst the pedigrees of the Ballydoyle colts are promising, preference is given to Gandalfo, who boasts three racecourse starts to his name. Bred by Coolmore, the Churchill colt failed to get involved on debut at Leopardstown but improved for the step up in trip when third on his subsequent two starts over a mile. Although he may not be a top-level performer, the Noel Meade-trained colt has the benefit of experience which could give him an edge in this contest.
WIN: GANDALFO
Bloodstock enthusiasts will be keeping a close eye on Azamaniya in the … . The beautifully bred Aga Khan-owned filly is making her racecourse debut and boasts a very impressive pedigree. Out of Azmiyna, who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Azamour, Azmaniya is a half-sister to The Autumn Sun, who was a five-time Group 1 hero in Australia.
Although Azmaniya's pedigree suggests the filly will be capable of a big effort, preference has to be given to a more experienced rival. Joseph O'Brien's Deadly Nightshade is a Justify half-sister to Above The Curve and improved from a debut sixth to finish third in a Bellewstown maiden. She is entitled to come forward again and appears ready to claim a maiden victory.
WIN: DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1: GANDALFO
RACE 2: ADELAISE
RACE 3: RAMPAGE
RACE 4: TANNOLA
RACE 5: GIUSEPPE CASSIOLI
RACE 6: AZAZAT
RACE 7: KERMIYA
RACE 8: DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
