Havana Anna sets up Group-race targets in Naas success

Havana Anna enhanced her reputation with a commanding victory in the Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes at Naas.

Not disgraced behind Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad on debut before headed late when beaten a neck by Ger Lyons’ Anglesey Stakes scorer Suzy Songs on her second start, Donnacha O’Brien’s talented youngster was returning to the scene of her impressive six-length maiden success late last month.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite in the hands of Gavin Ryan, Havana Anna travelled powerfully throughout the Listed event before asserting late on to run out a three-and-a-half-length winner over Ipanema Queen.

It was a performance deemed worthy of slicing her odds from 16-1 to 8s for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York on August 21 with bigger days certainly lying ahead for the speedy daughter of Havana Grey.

“She’s a smart filly, she’s taken the step up in grade very well,” said O’Brien.

“She’s exciting and she could be one for the best of those five- and six-furlong fillies’ races.

“They went a good gallop, she has loads of pace, and came over stands side which was fine. She’s straightforward, I know she leans a bit left under pressure.

“It’s something she’s always done in her races, but she doesn’t do it at home. It doesn’t seem to stop her, and while she’s winning I don’t see the need for headgear or anything like that it’s just something that she does.

“I have her in the Lowther. We’ll see how she comes out of it and make a plan then.

“You’d be hoping that she could make into a Cheveley Park filly. We’ll work back from there, it’s probably an option.”