Hit It A Bomb, second left© Photo Healy Racing
The Listed Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Star Appeal Stakes at Dundalk has been dominated by Aidan O'Brien and Ger Lyons and they are back in search of the 33,000-euro first prize for the 2015 renewal tonight. Hit It A Bomb represents O'Brien and the form of his Curragh maiden win from 12 days back got a boost when the fourth home, Ballydoyle stable companion Cook Islands, prevailed in style at Navan on Wednesday.
Lyons' filly Glass House has already managed a substantial payday by beating 29 rivals for the 250,000-euro Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at Headquarters on Irish Champions Weekend.
The daughter of Showcasing was shedding her maiden tag then over the extended six furlongs and it was hardly surprising to hear Lyons refer to her achievement as "a hell of a performance."
Joseph O'Brien takes over from Ryan Moore now on Hit It A Bomb, while Colin Keane will do the steering on Glass House after Gary Carroll's win on her up the Curragh.
It has the makings of a not-to-be missed spectacle and there are other contenders to note as well in the six-strong field.
Michael Halford tries a switch to Polytrack and the addition of cheekpieces to arrest the slide in the fortunes of his 94-rated Tonkinese
Meanwhile Eddie Lynam takes an identical approach with Redstaroverchina
Not to be forgotten, either, is Jim Bolger's Siamsaiocht after her deserved maiden win last time and she has a rating of 91 to her name.
Elsewhere, the Elite Racing Club and Sir Mark Prescott's Catterick maiden winner Marsha is a noteworthy runner in the opener at 5.30.
Halford has a squeak here through Gift Wrap and the Copper Beech Stables handler has two in the valuable Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap.
Both last year's winner Slipper Orchid (Conor McGovern) and Cailin Mor (Conor Hoban) look set to represent him well.
