3.00 1m. 7 Declared. Clipper Logistics Desmond Stakes (Group 3) of €50,000.00 3-y-o plus
1st - €30,000.00 2nd - €10,000.00 3rd - €5,000.00 4th - €2,500.00 5th - €1,500.00 6th - €1,000.00
FormscanBy Michael Graham - ANCIENT SPIRIT is a tough, admirable sort who looks sure to give it his all in a very tricky race. Since racing resumed in June, he has had a good time of it in winning a pair of Listed races before finishing second in a Group 3 behind Patrick Sarsfield over nine furlongs at this track. That run can be marked up as the latter was then a close third in a Group One in Germany. The fly in the ointment here is Etneya, in receipt of weight. The fact that Dermot Weld pitches her into this after she won her fillies' maiden at the Curragh last month appears significant. She is very hard to assess after that comfortable victory, however, the runner-up came out and won her maiden by a healthy three and a half lengths. Etneya holds a Group 2 entry, and is clearly a filly of considerable potential. She is a half sister to Eziyra who won at Group 2 level for Weld. Conversely, Royal Dornoch is a class dropper from being unplaced in Group One company. It was only three starts ago that he landed the Group 2 Royal Lodge, though, so he has to be given plenty of respect. Fiscal Rules is lightly raced but took fifth in both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby and has a part to play.
For three years old and upwardsWeights - 3-y-o 9st 2lbs 4-y-o and up 9st 9lbs Fillies allowed 3lbsPenalties - (to count from 1st January, 2020) Winner of a Group 3 race 3lb extra Of a Group 2 or a Group 1 race 5lb extra