Noel Meade’s Layfayette will probably bypass Saturday’s Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire at The Curragh, but the Fozzy Stack-trained Ahandfulofsummers is a likely combatant according to the Tipperary trainer.
Layfayette was initially made 8-1 joint-favourite together with Current Option for the Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire, but looks more likely to run the following day at Naas.
Meade said: “I’m more inclined to run on Sunday at Naas in the Listed race [Plusvital Devoy Stakes] and I’m leaning towards that at the moment.
“He’s in tremendous form – I think he’s in great form but it’s asking a lot of him to give so much weight away to most of his rivals. Having said that I haven’t had a chance to look at the field since the forfeits and I’ll have another look, but I’m leaning towards Naas and he’s in good form.”
However, Fozzy Stack was more upbeat about Tipperary fillies’ maiden winner Ahandfulofsummers taking her chance in the Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire for which she is a 12-1 shout (initially installed at 14-1 this afternoon) with the sponsor.
He said: “Ahandfulofsummers will more than likely go in the Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire, but if the Group 3 [Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes] on the same card looks like cutting up, I might change my mind.
“She seems to be in good old shape and she gets a mile well which you need to at The Curragh. She handles a bit of dig as well and I’m hoping she runs a good race.”
Despite only winning her maiden in October, Ahandfulofsummers is clearly well regarded by connections as she was sent on an overseas raid to last year’s Cheshire Oaks at Chester where she finished fifth to Dubai Fountain and she also lined up for the 2021 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at The Curragh in July when she was seventh to Snowfall.
“I was trying to stretch her out,” explains Stack. “But she didn’t seem to get much further than a mile and a quarter and she’s won over one mile one furlong.
“She was rated a good bit higher this time last year so I’m hoping she’ll run a good race.”
Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire
Paddy Power: 8 Current Option, 10 Agitare, Carrytheone, Saltonstall, San Andreas, 12 Ahandfulofsummers, Layfayette, Raadobarg, 14 Bowerman, Casanova, In From The Cold, Laelaps, Luke Short, Star Of Cashel, Tazaral, True Artist, 16 Dublin Journal, Star Harbour, 20 He Knows No Fear, Miss Myers, San Martino, Stylistic Approach, Yafordadoe, Yermanthere, 25 Dare To Flare, Moracana, 33 Comfort Line, Flaming Moon, Loingseoir, Quizical, Ransom, Rebel Stop, Sirjack Thomas, 40 Fil The Power, 66 Adapt To Dan, Prince Of Verona, Sunwalk, 100 Desert Wind, Sense Of Romance