TRADITIONALLY the final weekend of the season would not be renowned for producing above-average winners in the younger age maidens. However, this has been far from a normal season and the interruptions would seem to have improved the quality late in the season.

That would certainly seem to be the case on the evidence of the performance that was produced by Crypto Currency (92++) in the Kirkistown four-year-old maiden. Run to a very steady early pace, this consequently put the emphasis on speed, and the son of Yeats was certainly not found wanting when he left his rivals trailing in a very swift move out of the back straight. He is clearly a very nimble individual who should be very able to develop into a smart performer over shorter trips.

William Tyndale (89++) produced the highest rating of the season for an older maiden winner with his victory at Necarne earlier in the month, and he illustrated that it was no fluke performance by doubling up under a confident ride in the winner-of-one contest. His mark was limited somewhat here by only beating a maiden in this company, but his mark of 82 over hurdles would look one that his connections may well seek to exploit given the form that he is producing of late.

Elsewhere, Ranger Kid (86+) gained a long overdue success in an older maiden that would seem well up to producing multiple winners into the autumn.

Balance

Grennan presents a certain challenge of a young horse’s balance and the two four-year-old maiden winners here have to be credited for that. The mare Croi Corcra (80+) was only five lengths behind subsequent sales-topper Call Her Now at Necarne on her debut and in spite of running somewhat off the home bend, she made her experience count here when outbattling a newcomers as the pair pulled clear.

Kicks And Ale (89+) is a gutsy individual as he stayed best of the principals in what was quite a strongly run contest.

Whacker Clan (90+) returned from a break with notable autumn form to his name having chased home subsequent Punchestown bumper winner Grand Jury at Turtulla, and he loomed large at the second last, seemingly finding things happening very easily for himself before winning by eight lengths.

The seven-year-old Lily Of Dromard (80+), unusually for maiden company, defeated a former track performer with recent placed form in open grade and looks a ready track winner.

Overall the quality of performances this season certainly seem to have upheld the upward trend in the incredible quality of horses racing between the flags.

Of the 12 horses who achieved the highest performance ratings in four-year-old maidens this season, six have since run on the track, with all bar one winning to swiftly pass the early litmus test of the quality.

Top-rated performances – 2020/21

4yo mares’ maiden – Rae Des Champs at

Lisronagh (01/05/2021)

4yo geldings’ maiden – Jonbon at Ballindenisk (08/11/2020)

5yo mares’ maiden – Gaia Du Gouet at Tipperary (11/04/2021)

5yo geldings’ maiden – Ash Tree Meadow at Fairyhouse (17/04/2021)

Older maiden – William Tyndale at Necarne (15/05/2021)

Winners race – High Stakes at Stradbally (13/12/2021)

Open – Mighty Stowaway at Tinahely (18/10/2020)