Clongowes returns in Vintage Crop Stakes

Consistent four-year-old Clongowes steps up to G3 level on his seasonal return in the Vintage Crop Stakes over a mile and three quarters at Navan, Ireland, on Sunday, 22 April.

The New Approach colt has finished in the first four on all 12 of his races and progressed through the handicap ranks last year, ending his 2017 campaign with a close third in a valuable 13-furlong contest at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend in September.

Clongowes made all to score in a 10-furlong handicap at the Curragh in June and was the comfortable winner of the Ulster Derby, a premier handicap over an extended 12 furlongs at Down Royal, in June.

Trained by Jim Bolger and ridden by Kevin Manning, he faces two rivals in the Vintage Crop Stakes – three-time G1 winner Order Of St George and Newmarket Listed victor Lord Yeats.

Jimmy Hyland of Godolphin commented: “We are hoping that Clongowes has improved sufficiently over the winter so he can be competitive at Group level this year.

“This is only a three-runner race, but he is facing a top stayer in Order Of St George and has a tough task.

“He should be fine on the ground – it’s drying out at the moment – and we are hoping that he can run a good race.”

On the same card, Mary Tudor (Willie McCreery/Billy Lee) goes after a first victory on her three-year-old reappearance in the 10-furlong Listed Salsabil Stakes.

The Dawn Approach filly displayed a high level of form in three outings last year, most notably when third in the G2 Debutante Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh in August.

Jimmy Hyland added: “Mary Tudor needs decent going to be effective and we would like to see the ground dry out a bit more for her to take her chance.

“She is joint top-rated in the race and the form of her third in the Debutante Stakes is very strong.

“How she goes on Sunday will determine plans for the rest of the season and we are hoping for a big run, providing the ground dries out sufficiently for her to take part.”