CUIS GHAIRE will attempt to follow in some illustrious hoofprints and also maintain her unbeaten record when she lines up for this evening's Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown.
Jim Bolger used the seven-furlong event as a stepping stone along unbeaten juvenile careers for New Approach last year and Teofilo in 2006, and he hasn't hesitated to pitch his star juvenile filly in against colts.
Just four line up, but with Vilasol boasting a 100 rating and Aidan O'Brien electing to run Rip Van Winkle this could turn out to be a significant event in terms of end-of-season standings.
Certainly the step up to seven furlongs should be ideal for Cuis Ghaire, whose three wins at six included the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Galileo filly briefly looked in trouble that day but ultimately won well, and Bolger outlined a future plan that includes the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
The fact he elects to run her here is significant, and he should know exactly where he stands with the Ballydoyle runner. Rip Van Winkle was just edged out by Tomas An Tsioda on his Curragh debut but got the race in the stewards room.
On the strength of that, he immediately earned Derby quotes for next year, and, although the form of the Curragh race has had mixed fortunes since, there was a lot to like about the way Rip Van Winkle ran on. He will have to improve significantly for that to come near Cuis Ghaire's 106 rating, but in turn the filly faces no easy task taking on colts.
Tonight's other Group Three, the Meld Stakes, has also attracted just four runners and conditions look sure to be more in King Of Rome's favour compared to his last start. That came in horrendous conditions in Hamburg, where the Montjeu colt wound up sixth after lying a long way off a slow early pace.
Before that, King Of Rome had a good run on quick ground in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and he may be sufficiently on the upgrade to cope with the veteran pair of Lord Admiral and Mustameet.
The Galway Hurdle favourite King Rama has a pre-Ballybrit spin in this evening's mile-and-a-half handicap, but the winning solution could come from the other end of the handicap with Old Chatham, who is penalised just 3lb for winning a shade cosily over the course and distance last time.
Boule Masquee signalled a return to form by David Myerscough's horses by winning at Fairyhouse four days ago, and a 5lb penalty doesn't look enough to stop the four-year-old following up in the six-furlong handicap.
