Cork 2:55 Result

Motta Alta is progressive - form figures 6133 show she's been running on well, winning last time out and consistently placing. She's from a Harrington yard that knows how to place fillies at this level, and by Ghaiyyath out of a Rock Of Gibraltar mare gives decent speed/stamina blend for 6f on yielding-to-soft. At just 3yo with an OR of 77 she looks to be improving into this and the handicap mark hasn't caught her fully given the upward trajectory. Forza Magico (521) is the obvious market rival with a similar progressive profile and a recent win, but she's already been running well and may have peaked closer to her true mark, plus J.J Feane is a smaller yard without the strike-rate depth of Harrington's operation. Staysound Susie has an inconsistent formline (-53160) and is unproven at this trip/ground combo recently. Flash Of Fire steps up in class/trip having been beaten last twice and wears first-time cheekpieces which is unproven. Saint Agatha and My Cubby Bear both have stop-start form and questionable fitness given long layoffs/mixed efforts. Baiana has had a big break (124 days) and unproven fitness. Rosato is the classic case of a mare treading water at a low mark, unlikely to trouble the principals. Overall this looks a case of Motta Alta's improvement curve versus Forza Magico's proven scoring - I lean toward Motta Alta given the stronger stable and the fact she's still fresh with more upside, and the market may be underestimating a filly on the up from a in-form yard.