A wide-open Listed contest for fillies and mares over 6f is the feature race at Naas on Wednesday evening (19:25), and Cava each-way appeals most.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, the three-year-old daughter of Acclamation drops back in trip here. Although Cava has only won once in eight career starts, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
She has run some very solid races in defeat at this level over shorter and further. After winning a Fairyhouse maiden at this trip, Cava went straight up into Group 3 company as a juvenile.
As she was far from disgraced when headed in the final strides and dropped to third, it left the impression there was more to come from her this season.
Cava was just half-a-length behind subsequent Group 1 heroine Skitter Scatter, who won her next three starts. She also pulled three lengths clear of the fourth filly home. That gives this juvenile form a solid look.
She was then nearest at the finish and beaten 1 3/4 lengths in a Listed event at Navan on reappearance. Cava just failed for second in that extended 5f contests.
Cava each-way solid Naas value
Connections tried that trip again but she failed to shine over it and went up to 7f for two runs in the UK.
Cava was again far from disgraced on either outing as a three-length fourth at Musselbrugh or when runner-up last time out.
There were excuses at Carlisle. Cava lost a front shoe and was denied a clear run approaching two out. She still stuck to the task well and was beaten just over a length in the Eternal Stakes.
This is very competitive but some bookies are paying an extra place with 17 fillies and mares in this. Odds of 6/1 at Betfred about Cava each-way at Naas appeal most.
The drop back in trip holds no fears, so everything is in place for another decent effort from her.
Although dangers include Curragh runner-up Woody Creek and the in-form British raider Shimmering Dawn, it’s Cava who can hit the fame.
Bet of the Day: 6/1 with Betfred, Cava each-way in the Listed 6f race (19:25) at Naas.
