NAP of the Day: Rubies to shine at Cork on Wednesday

On the eve of the Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster, we cross the Irish Sea to Cork in search of a winning NAP of the Day.

Henry de Bromhead is a trainer in red-hot form. The Knockeen handler, who's primarily known for his exploits over jumps but has been making a splash on the flat lately, is operating at an incredible 42% strike rate courtesy of eight winners from 19 runners over the last couple of weeks.

That's one of the reasons I'm keen on RUBIES FROM BURMA for this mile-long maiden.

The three-year-old American Pharaoh filly made her debut in a relatively strong contest over an extended 1m2f at Dundalk in mid-July and finished 8/13, almost 10 lengths off the pace.

At face value, it was a modest effort, but given the quality of the field - ahead of the selection was the 85-rated Ozark Daze and the 88-rated Psalm, to name just two - and the fact she was noticeably green and didn't quite stay the distance, I thought it was promising enough.

Connections sensibly dropped her down to a mile next time out at Leopardstown where she was a much-improved third, beaten just over two lengths by the Aidan O'Brien-trained winner.

What I enjoyed most about her performance in County Dublin was her finishing effort. She was one of the only runners to make up significant ground on the pace-setters and nothing was coming home as powerfully as her.

She strikes me as the type to progress again, especially with her yard in such good form, and this looks an easier assignment.

According to the 18:55 Cork Odds, Old Sea, My Little Lady and the unraced Silent Guardian are the dangers.

None are ruled out completely, but Silent Guardian makes nothing more than standard appeal and My Little Lady has to put a woeful effort at Bellewstown just over two weeks ago well behind her.

Blue Point colt Old Sea is feared most, for his latest run at Killarney was his best yet and that form is comparable to the selection's. However, a 56-day layoff is a slight concern and I'm not convinced he has quite as much scope.

I fancy it'll prove a case of third time lucky for Rubies From Burma under the brilliant Billy Lee.

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