Novancia makes Irish debut at Leopardstown The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap makes for an interesting conclusion to proceedings at Leopardstown. One of the more eyecatching participants is Novancia. She begins for the John Geoghegan stable in this 10-furlong event off a 346-day absence. Novancia won two of her nine starts when in training with Mark Johnston, and Gary Halpin will sport well-known silks when he climbs aboard the five-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock. Yavana's Pace was a really admirable sort for Novancia's owners, the Keaneys. A tough chestnut, Yavana's Pace won 16 of his 74 starts including at Group One level. Novancia is out of Ceoil An Aith, a sister to Yavana's Pace. She'll be equipped with a first-time tongue-strap for this assignment. Polymnia is another to have her initial outing in Ireland here. Victorious at Lingfield in January, this Poet's Voice filly will now compete in the colours of her trainer Eddie Hales. Polymnia cost 18,000 guineas shortly after her win for Richard Hannon. It looks like she's primed for a big performance now with Chris Hayes booked to ride. In truth it's difficult to rule anything out for this 9.05 finale. As a last time out scorer with a very much in-form jockey up, Golden Dandy is likely to prove particularly popular though, under Ronan Whelan for Patrick Prendergast. Late arrival for this fixture isn't advised as the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden has some nicely-bred newcomers involved. Chief among these is arguably Ballydoyle's Rostrpovich under Ryan Moore. This Frankel juvenile is a half-brother to Zoffany. That fellow was a star in this age group back in 2010. Elsewhere Wimbourne, with blinkers tried, grabs the attention, as he begins in handicaps at 8.05. The Canford Cliffs colt goes for the China Horse Club and Joseph O'Brien, upped to a mile and a half.
