Roscommon’s Listed Lenebane Stakes is the course’s biggest flat race of the calendar year. We shine the spotlight on one of Ireland’s smaller tracks and have previewed their feature below, giving our verdict on the race.
Jason The Militant (Henry De Bromhead, Chris Hayes)
More famed for winning at Grade 2 and Grade 3 level over hurdles. However, the eight-year-old is actually unbeaten on the flat, winning both races, including a Listed contest at Naas last autumn. That form has a very strong look to it on the whole and Henry De Bromhead’s charge is usually able to go well fresh. Does have a greater penalty than any of his rivals, but certainly one who should be thereabouts.
Beamish (Paddy Twomey, Declan McDonogh)
Another who is two from two in his career and represents recent Pretty Polly winning trainer Paddy Twomey. Only made his debut last June as a three-year-old, winning comfortably over 1m5f at Leopardstown and reappeared with another strong performance at Killarney over 1m6f. This is therefore the shortest trip he has raced over and represents a step up in class, but he is not ground dependent and difficult to know where his limitations may lie.
Licence (Ger Lyons, Colin Keane)
Exciting winner of a Gowran Park maiden last June, blitzing his opposition by six lengths. Has raced in Pattern company in both starts since. First of those was in March when a narrow runner-up in a Naas listed race, though he was well below that form in the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh next time out. Has been gelded since and still very unexposed, so could easily bounce back, especially as this step up in trip could be in his favour.
O’Reilly (Jessica Harrington, Tom Madden)
Form in beating HMS Seahorse in a Leopardstown maiden last season now looks strong, albeit that was over 1m. However, many of his early-career runs look very good in this contest: he was runner-up to Group 1 winner Bolshoi Ballet on debut, then was also runner-up to Kyprios at Cork last term. Went close to Listed honours at the Curragh last June, though has dropped his levels when well-beaten the last twice. Needs to bounce back.
Yaxeni (Ger Lyone, Gary Carroll)
Ger Lyons’ mare has been admirable consistent since the start of last season. Has won twice and been placed on three other occasions in seven races from April 2021 onwards. Career best when winning Gowran Park Listed race in May over 1m6f and ran a cracker to be denied by the progressive Rosscarbery in Cork Group 3 earlier this month. In the form of her career and likely to be thereabouts even under a penalty, though curious that she is not stable’s number one on jockey bookings.
Cycladic (Jessica Harrington, Shane Crosse)
Took seven races to get off the mark, but eventually did so in fine style at Bellewstown last August. Had been knocking on the door prior, though has not been as competitive in two races since. Fourth to Yaxeni at Gowran in May, but seems very unlikely that a 3lb pull will make enough of a difference.
Pineapple Express (Andrew Slattery, Andrew Slattery)
Not always the easiest to predict since progressing through the handicap ranks last term. Won three times, seeing her mark go up 21lb and has ensured she has contested Listed and Group races on her last five starts. Has alternated between solid efforts and disappointments, placing at Naas and Cork over 1m4f, but was also last of behind Jason The Militant in Listed company and was a 26-length last of four to Kyprios in May. Not one to back with certainty.
Startedwithakiss (Joseph O’Brien, Dylan Browne McMonagle)
Ran twice at two before missing her entire three-year-old season in 2021. Has run some solid races since return, with two placed efforts preceding an easy victory over course and distance to get off the mark in May. That was a presentable opportunity, but she followed up at Leopardstown in good style in handicap company latest. That was only off a mark of 77, so this represents an entirely different ball game, but trainer has won this twice.
Anchorage (Aidan O’Brien, Seamie Heffernan)
Superstar trainer has only ever won this once, but this three-year-old is an intriguing participant. Gets plenty of weight for age and would be bang there on pick of his juvenile form, such as when third in a Leopardstown Group 3 over 1m1f. That said, he was not at the races on return and fifth in the Queen’s Vase over 1m6f at Royal Ascot was only modest, so would definitely have to up his game to win here.
Fumata (Jessica Harrington, Shane Foley)
Least is known of Jessica Harrington’s three-year-old after only two runs to date. However, could easily be useful based on his maiden victory at Leopardstown last time out. Only fourth on debut, but that was behind leading Derby hopeful Stone Age, who had plenty of experience over him. Won easily next time out, with the second and third from that contest having both won since and both were well-regarded runners for O’Brien yards. Looks well worth a go in this race.
The Algarve (Aidan O’Brien, Wayne Lordan)
Has been campaigned prominently and aggressively by Ballydoyle this season. Had won a Galway maiden as a juvenile last term, but three runs this year have not gone to plan. Well-beaten in the Musidora Stakes and the Oaks, then only seventh in Listed company last week, but was eyecatching at the finish having not been asked for much by Ryan Moore. Step up to 1m4f probably in her favour on that evidence though still has something to find.
Verdict
Plenty have chances. Yaxeni should go close and is the choice of those with experience, but both BEAMISH and Fumata appeal as types who could rate higher than this contest. The former is unbeaten and while he has to give 13lb in weight-for-age to his younger rivals, he has won both his races easily and should cope with the step back to 1m4f. Fumata is next best as his maiden victory last time out looks strong.