Yara set to run

The home team for the defence of Sunday's Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes is beginning to take shape and there will be no more popular…

The home team for the defence of Sunday's Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes is beginning to take shape and there will be no more popular winner than Yara who has finished runner up in all seven of her starts to date.

Trainer Kevin Prendergast confirmed the filly as a definite runner yesterday and Declan McDonogh will ride. Stephen Craine will ride the stable's other intended runner Inforapenny.

"We are always hopeful of winning and wouldn't it be great if she could break her maiden in the Moyglare," Prendergast said of Yara who chased home the brilliant Fasliyev in the Heinz 57 last time out.

"Basically she's been a bit unfortunate. She got knocked down in a Curragh claimer and was also a bit unlucky at Galway. She ran a super race in the Heinz but Fasliyev probably needed the run," Prendergast added.

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Irish trained fillies have won the last two runnings of the Moyglare (Edabiya and Tarascon) but cross-channel horses have scored five times in the 90s and a strong challenge is again expected.

Little Feather is a confirmed runner for Sir Mark Prescott as is Michael Bell's Croeso Cariad but Peter Chapple-Hyam, in the headlines after his recent sacking from Manton, could hold the key with Saintly Speech.

The impressive winner of the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, beating Journalist, Saintly Speech has still to be confirmed a definite runner. The Jim Bolger trained Desert Sky also figures in the entries as Bolger bids for a third Moyglare victory after Priory Belle (1995) and Park Appeal (1984).

Aidan O'Brien could have up to three runners as he attempts to win Ireland's premier juvenile fillies event for the first time. The full sister to King Of Kings Amethyst is a possible along with the Listed winner Buffalo Berry and Alluring.

Saintly Thoughts gave trainer Pat Hughes and jockey Jamie Spencer their first success in the Cork Dry Gin Ulster Cesarewitch at Downpatrick yesterday.

Saintly Thoughts appeared to have little chance on the run to the final bend. But under strong driving from Spencer, Saintly Thoughts swooped near the finish to beat Star Club by 11/2 lengths with Colins Double finishing third.

Dromineer was withdrawn by order of the stewards following a report from the Turf Club veterinary officer.

Today's scheduled meeting at Sligo was abandoned yesterday after the course was found to be waterlogged.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column