O’Brien to give Moth a run at Naas

Aidan O’Brien’s Moth takes a significant drop in grade for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Naas Oaks Trial on Wednesday evening.

The daughter of Galileo was so impressive on her seasonal reappearance at the Curragh in early April she was supplemented for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, where she finished third.

Expected to improve for the step up to a mile and a half, Moth was favourite for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on her next start, and she again ran with credit in finishing fourth, having looked unsuited by the undulating terrain.

Back over a mile and a quarter, and on a more conventional track, the Ballydoyle filly sets a high standard in this Listed contest.

At the other end of the scale is Kevin Prendergast’s improving Majenta, who attempts to complete a hat-trick following wins in maiden and handicap company at Dundalk and the Curragh.

Prendergast said: “She’s in good shape and is going well at home.

“She’s coming back a couple of furlongs, having run over a mile and a half in the Curragh the last day, but I don’t think that will be a problem.

“She won over a mile and a quarter in Dundalk and that’s a sharp track.

“She has it all to do against the O’Brien filly, but we’ll give it a go and hopefully it’s a good opportunity to get some black type.

“She’s rated 91 and it’s probably easier for her to get some black type in a Listed race than run in a handicap.”

A field of 11 has been declared, with O’Brien also running Fairyhouse scorer Venus De Milo.

Other interesting contenders include the David Wachman-trained Love And Cherish, John Oxx’s Navan winner Rocktique and Bunairgead from Jim Bolger’s stable.