A useful maiden and the market will be informative regarding the likes of Irish Oaks entry True Friend, who showed up well in a Barrier Trial last summer, and the Weld newcomer Harana. De Novo shaped well on debut at Dundalk and is a likely improver but Curragh third Murkala, now tried in headgear, has a few questions to answer at this stage although quicker ground may help. Runner-up in two good-ground maidens in the autumn, JOYFUL PRINCESS holds solid claims and gets the vote. [Mark Nunan]
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Placed twice over 1m last year, on soft ground at Leopardstown and on AW in December; well-held fifth on very testing ground at Naas last month when blinkered for the first time
Was 100-1 when showing ability at the Curragh last month, fifth of 20 over 7f on soft ground (3l off Murkala); tack problems when pulled up back there last time.
Half-sister to winners Hamsiyann (11.5f/1m4f Flat, RPR 100; 2m5f hurdle), Harannda (7f; 86) and Haroya (French 1m1f); dam 7f 2yo winner (inc Group 3; 109), half-sister to Derby winner Harzand; no big entries but yard doing very well with 3yo fillies in recent weeks.
Irish 1,000 Guineas entrant was second in good-ground maidens over 7f and 1m in the autumn; joint-highest rated of those with a mark and obvious claims.
Half-sister to four winners inc Keeper's Choice (7f/1m; RPR 82), Saltwater Creek (8.6f AW; 80) and Crossingoz (1m/10.6f AW; 69); dam dual bumper/Listed-placed 1m-1m2f Flat winner (106); likely to be better for the experience.
Dam placed 7f/8.3f only 2yo starts (RPR 82), half-sister to winners Mashia (useful 1m) and Masoun (1m2f/10.6f), out of 1m4f Listed winning half-sister to Group-placed 1m 2yo/8.5f winner Masaff; bought in for E12,000 as a yearling; best watched.
Raced on good or quicker at two; promising fourth on debut behind one of the top juveniles in Lake Victoria in 7f Curragh maiden; didn't build on that in two subsequent starts including one try over this trip; third of 20 in 7f Curragh maiden on soft last month and headgear now goes on.
Closely related to winners Armory (7f-1m2f inc 2yo Group 2; RPR 119), Subsequent (11.6f-14.5f inc Listed; 107), Bond Street (7f turf/1m AW; 102) and HMS Seahorse (1m4f Flat, 100; useful 2m/2m4f hurdle); dam Group-placed 6f 2yo winner (108); was second in 7f Barrier Trial in August; holds an Irish Oaks entry.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )