Mick Fitzgerald: It could be a Super Sunday for Ballydoyle at Naas

1.50pm 7f Maiden

These end of season maidens can be a little bit of a minefield and the bigger stables have to be respected. I remember when I worked on the Curragh as a apprentice, you’d listen out for the racecourse whispers for the market moves. Godolphin introduce a two-year-old here trained by Jim Bolger called Loughmore. Any market support could prove significant against Ballydoyle’s Magna Grecia ridden by Ryan Moore.

2.20 7f Group 3 Weld Park Stakes

I’m backing the O’Brien team’s Hermosa in the first of the big pattern races on the day. She stayed on really strongly when third to Scitter Scatter in the Moyglare Stud Stakes which augurs well for her chances here. Trethias looked like she got lost at  Leopardstown last time behind Sparkle’n’joy and I expect her to be in the first three on Sunday.

2.55 2m Group 3 Loughbrown Stakes

A real stamina test for the stayers. I am going with a previous winner of this contest Twilight Payment for the Bolger team, to follow up his win of two years ago.

3.25 6f Auction Race

James Nash nominated this race for Hammersmith when he won at the Curragh two starts back. He felt the track would really suit his runner. Recent Listowel winner Check My Pulse will find conditions a lot different now than when winning over 6f at the Co. Kerry track.

4.00 6f Group 3 Renaissance Stakes

The conditions of this race are tailor-made for Tom Hogan’s veteran Gordon Lord Byron. A return to 6f should bring out the best in him and he would be a popular winner.

4.35 5f Handicap

Aidan O’Brien’s Dali may be shouldering top-weight but both his wins have come at this venue over the minimum 5f trip. There is not much between him, Only Spoofing & Amanaat but his course form sways it for me.

5.05 1m Group 2 Beresford Stakes

This race has been kind to Aidan O’Brien in the past but the dilemma is which of his three runners do we pick? Sovereign could be the surprise package here and definitely merits an each-way shout. The most likely winner is stablemate Mount Everest as he was really impressive at the Curragh when winning his maiden.