Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LEARNING HER CRAFT
Murphy’s filly can build on debut course and distance experience to record a first victory
CRAFT IRISH will be expected to build on her solid debut second over course and distance in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Maiden in Dundalk.
Pat Murphy’s Adaay filly was an unconsidered 66/1 shot for her debut late last month, but ran a race full of promise and has been found a good opportunity to get off the mark.
Craft Irish was a little keen in the early stages of her debut, but improved around the field on the home-turn, tracking favourite and eventual winner Boyne River, an 80rated filly trained by Joseph O’brien.
The pair challenged down the outside and picked-up well to stretch clear of the remainder inside the final furlong.
Boyne River prevailed by three-quarters of a length. But the selection stayed on stoutly to the line as the pair pulled five and a half lengths clear of the rest, with one of today’s rivals, Royal Tribute a well-beaten sixth.
And, with normal improvement,
Nathan Crosse’s mount should prove tough to beat.
The earlier fillies maiden over a mile, might be fought out by Johnny Murtagh’s (inset) Chicago Lightening and the Joseph O’brientrained Sistine Madonna, although both are drawn high.
Preference is for Declan Mcdonogh’s mount Sistine Madonna, a promising fourth to Singsong Lady on her debut over seven furlongs here last month.
The Dark Angel filly should have learned plenty from that experience and looks capable of landing a maiden of this standard, with Chicago Lightening (rated 73) and Sister Bridget (75) her biggest threats.
Winner of the race in 2020 and on the mark on his travels to Doha last year, the Ado Mcguinnesstrained Bowerman signalled a return to form when beaten a half-length by Dalvey in a course and distance handicap less than two weeks ago and has definite claims in the concluding Lengthen The Odds With Betvictor Race.
Bowerman is rated to turn the tables on Dalvey here. But he might not cope with Joseph O’brien’s Isle Of Sark, gelded since he finished third to Leo de Fury at this venue in September.
This son of Kitten’s Joy scored on his debut on the polytrack and was subsequently highly-tried.
Depending on his fitness level, he has a good opportunity to get his career back on track here.