Sruthan primed for success at Cork meeting

Changing ground conditions are often a problem at this time of year but even an unsettled forecast shouldn't be a concern for the Chris Hayes-Paul Deegan team and Sruthan can kick-off a potential Listed weekend double for them at Cork today.

The Gladness Stakes winner has to concede weight in the Navigation Stakes but should strip sharper for his recent third to Big Break in the Concorde Stakes.

Sruthan is proven on easy ground and so is Avenue Gabriel who returns to action in tomorrow’s Garnet Stakes at Naas. The Irish 1,000 Guineas fourth hasn’t run since the end of June but won first time out as a two -year-old and also ran a fine race first time this season behind the subsequent classic winner, Bracelet.

Joseph O’Brien begins an eight-day suspension for his Gleneagles disqualification in France on Sunday so jockey arrangements for Ballydoyle’s five runners in the valuable €50,000 handicap look significant.

Bazaar has been put up 17lbs for a smooth win at Navan, a meeting at which Felix Mendelssohn won his maiden in good style and from which he is likely to step up considerably.

In contrast Aidan O’Brien relies solely on Ask Me Nicely in the historic Birdcatcher Nursery and his daughter Ana’s 7lb claim could be crucial to a filly having a first sprint start.