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Navan Sun Apr 23 2yo race review

Navan 1415 Sunday Apr23
EBF Fillies Maiden
5f, 1m1.77s
(slow by 2.27s)
Good

Too Familiar. Feb 21, €25k yearling. Most recent half-brother (Ronald R) shows talent, current OR85. Jumped well, sat towards the back of big bunch, no more than 3L from the lead. Jockey had to earn his sling weaving through the pack. Only got clear inside the final furlong, ran on strongly when gaps appeared, seemed to have quite a bit left in tank. Visually impressive, more to come. Rated equal top 2yo race in Ireland (RPR figures) so far this season.

Crown Leah. Mar 19, €34k yearling. Dam won a 2yo maiden and then a C7 off 45. Began well, sat just behind the pace. Urged along inside 2f and took lead at furlong pole. Looked home until Too Familiar got clear and dove through on her inside. Nice run.

Summerseat Mist. Expected to go well after close third at Dundalk on debut, second has since won. Away well, straight to the front in a line of four. Pushed along inside 2f, beat off the other front-runners but left susceptible to good ones coming from behind. Solid enough.

Social Butterfly. Fourth in same race as Summerseat Mist, and camped behind her in the run here. No acceleration, stayed same distance behind that horse all the way to the line. Not great but there'll be a race for her somewhere this season.

Damselfly. Midfield in debut at Naas. Contested the lead in middle of track, looked to be going well until challenged. Weakened last half-furlong, copped a small check as she was tiring, made no difference to result.

Amenette Seventh at Dundalk on debut. Jumped, sat mid-pack, centre of track. Not that far away at the finish, but never a winning chance.

Himmah. Mar 8. Backed 10s into 11/2. Wore noseroll. First foal of dam who won at two, peaked at OR92. Dwelt, jockey hooked her in behind for cover from the outside gate. Backers never had a chance of collecting but did run home nicely, look for her over further.

My Silver Nails. Third start already, not progressing. Straight to the lead hard against the rail. Going well af halfway, under pressure at 2f and soon beaten. Only thing in her favour might be this was a stronger field, otherwise going nowhere.

Casino Red. Apr 1. Dam side all raced in Europe, and not necessarily the good parts. Asleep when the gates open, missed start at least 5L and lack of acceleration meant she was soon even further behind. Ran on OK in last two furlongs, give another chance.

Feadan. Unlucky on debut, switched off once hampered. Contested the lead this time, challenged at the furlong and weakened quickly.

In The Dip. Backed 12s into 8s. Third run of career, entitled to expect better first time on turf. Jumped well, sat just behind pace, without cover in middle of track. Outpaced when leaders kicked near the furlong and just plodded home.

Dandy Sue. Apr 4. Third foal of 17yo dam, went unsold at sales. Outlook pessimistic on talent. Sat on the back of In The Dip and did no more. Wore noseroll.

Could It Be Love. Mar 17. Half-sister to star US 2yo and sire Uncle Mo. Would have cost a mint at the sales had she gone through. Wore tongue tie. Started joint favourite, very disappointing. Jumped well but eased to sit back in the field, on the back of Crown Leah. Gone at the 2f, found nothing.

Piper Bomb. Apr 4. €16k yearling. Missed start a few lengths and soon scrubbed up to sit midfield on the rail. Used up too much petrol early though, gone at the 2f, dropped right out.

Lady Epaulette. Last again, sat in back half of field, under pressure by the 2f and dropped right out.

KEY POINTS
Had to be impressed with the winner. Johnny Murtagh has at least a couple of handy 2yos, nobody's backing them either (and paid double on the tote) - could be a profitable angle. This one will be Royal Ascot-bound for sure. Crown Leah was home until Too Familiar appeared, she'll win races and those close behind won't have long to wait before they find a moderate 2yo race to claim. Casino Red and Himmah worked home well.

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