Sunday 17th May 2026
I’ve got four selections on Sunday, all coming from Naas, where it’s Royal Ascot Trials Day. The first of which comes within the opener at 1.56, and this is a three-year-old affair that’s contested over a mile. I’m quite strong on the chances of SHAFTESBURY AVENUE here for the powerhouse combination of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Seemingly the yards’ first-string here over Port Ferdinand, he progressed markedly from his racecourse debut when winning at Navan last time out in March over a mile on heavy ground, knuckling down from the front and keeping on well to win by a length and three-quarters. He should take another sizeable step forward coming into his third outing to date here, and I think that he could take some pegging back should he be ridden positively again.
Next up for me will be the 3.26, and this is a fillies maiden that’s contested over a mile. The Ger Lyons-trained Guardion Of Realm sets the standard at the top of the betting here, as she has the most experience with three placed efforts on the all-weather at Dundalk. If she transfers that form to turf, she’ll be bang on the premises. I have tried to take her on, though, for this particular assignment, as I like SOLANA BEACH for Fozzy Stack and Seamie Heffernan. She posted a highly encouraing effort on her racecourse debut at Gowran Park last month, finishing second of seven, however, doing her best work late, staying on and catching the eye whilst doing so. She should almost certainly take a big step forward coming into her second start here, and the step up to a mile looks sure to suit.
My third selection of the afternoon at Naas comes within the 3.56, and this is the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes over seven furlongs. Expanded will be popular at the top of the betting here for Aidan O’Brien, on the back of his half-length second to The Lion In Winter in Listed company last time out; however, I’ve come down on the English raider here, NATIVE WARRIOR for Karl Burke and Jamie Spencer. He’s rated a couple of pounds higher than Expanded and won back-to-back competitive handicaps at Ascot at the back end of last season. He then took his form to the next level on his seasonal reappearance, finishing half a length second of ten in a French Group 3. I think that he sets the standard here on the back of that run, and there’s nothing to suggest that he can’t play a very meaningful role at the business end of things.
The fourth and final selection comes within the 4.56, the Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes over six furlongs. This is my best bet of the day, and it comes in the form of CHARLES DAWIN for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He is short at the top of the betting here; however, I think that an argument could be made for him being considerably shorter than his current price. His main danger in the market currently is Royal Bay Cen for Johnny Murtagh, who was impressive in Listed company at Cork last month; however, she was soundly beaten when trying Group 2 & 3 company last term, so she’ll need to improve. Havanna Anna has better form than him last season, and would be the chief threat to the O’Brien charge for me; however, she’s having her first run of the campaign, and it remains to be seen how fit she is. With all that being taken into consideration, I think that O’Brien’s No Nay Never colt should take a lot of beating here. He has the benefit of a run behind him, with that also being a winning one within Listed company at Navan last month, and he should take a big step forward here, given that was his first start in ten months. There could be a bit of star quality about him.
Sunday Selections
17/05/26
1.56 Naas
SHAFTESBURY AVENUE – (13/8) (Win) (NB)
3.26 Naas
SOLANA BEACH – (7/2) (Win)
3.56 Naas
NATIVE WARRIOR – (3/1) (Win)
4.56 Naas
CHARLES DARWIN – (5/6) (Win) (NAP)
