Latest news with #NoblesseStakes
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Bubble Gum can see off Munster Oaks rivals at Cork
Successful over course and distance on her Irish debut back in early April, Bubble Gum might repeat the feat in the Group 3 Darley Munster Oaks in Cork. A four-year-old Cloth Of Stars filly, she won twice when trained by Fabrice Chappet in France and impressed on her first start for Paddy Twomey when beating one of tonight's rivals Ameerat Jumaira in the listed Noblesse Stakes in Cork, travelling powerfully throughout before leading at the furlong-pole and going away to score by a length and a half. Goodie Two Shoes, who finished third that day, has boosted the form by recording two listed wins, in the Vintage Tipple in Gowran Park and His Majesty's Plate in Down Royal. Bubble Gum, whose wins in France came at Saint-Cloud and Longchamp, on heavy and soft ground respectively, was tackling a mile and a half for the first time in the Noblesse, coped well and, stepping up in grade, might be capable of landing this prestigious prize. Twomey also runs another French import Magical Hope, third to Trustyourinstinct in a recent listed event at the Curragh on her Irish debut. She must also enter calculations. Dermot Weld's seasonal debutante Elizabeth Jane, a creditable fourth in the Irish Oaks last July, also has obvious claims, as does the Willie McCreery-trained Enfranchise. Back to the scene of his maiden success, the Ger Lyons-trained Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victor Magnum Force returns to Cork to contest the listed Midsummer Sprint. But, disappointing, when needing the run, on his 2025 debut at Naas, he might struggle to reverse form with Andy Slattery's Powerful Nation, runner-up to Bucanero Fuerte in the Sole Power, almost six lengths ahead of Magnum Force. Earlier, Natalia Lupini's seven-furlong specialist Dunum, down the field behind Copacabana Sands in a listed contest in Naas last time, might reward each-way support in the valuable Mallow Handicap. There's also Flat action in Fairyhouse where Joseph O'Brien's Delta, third to Carmers at Navan last time out, might outpoint some interesting older rivals, notably triple bumper-winner Seo Linn, in the Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Hostility can make if fifth time time lucky at Gowran Park
Hostility can keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely for Joseph O'Brien by taking Wednesday's opener at Gowran Park, the Societies Welcome At Gowran Park Maiden. Thrice raced at two, he contested some decent maidens and while he was in the first four on all three occasions, he never got close enough to land a meaningful blow. On return, however, he was quite well backed to win a Limerick maiden and was just touched off by Admiral Churchill, the pair a long way clear of the remainder. With that run under his belt and having the best of the draw, he can pop out and dictate matters, and keep Storm Piece, Iceford, and Hopes Are High, all of which are promising sorts, at bay. First Wave can make a belated and much deserved breakthrough when he contests the second race, the Thonastown Maiden. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Wootton Bassett colt was runner-up to stablemate Expanded on debut and filled the same spot behind another stable-companion Serengeti, in an all-weather maiden on his only other start at two. He returned in a Curragh maiden and for the third consecutive time, he found one too good, this time in the shape of the promising Dupont Law. He was then sent off an odds-on favourite to win a maiden back at Dundalk but was a shade disappointing in third place behind Pedro Nunes. O'Brien's horses are striking form now and this fellow has a favourable draw from which to make the most of his fitness and experience advantage over the likes of Pierre Royal, Rizal, and Ben Lawers, all of which would become increasingly interesting if attracting significant market support. One of the twin features on the card is the listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Vintage Tipple Stakes and Ameerat Jumaira, who posted a huge effort on defeat on debut for Jack Davison, can get back to winning ways. The five-year-old was a smart sort for the now retired Michael Halford and started off for Davison in the listed Noblesse Stakes at Cork. She took a while to find top stride on that occasion but flew home to take second place behind useful French sort and Irish debutant Bubble Gum. The winner looked like a top sort in the making, and it could be argued that this was Ameerat Jumaira's best effort to date. That being the case, and with the potential for improvement, she can come out on top.
