Hi all,
No winners yesterday but plenty of the big race winners were highlighted in the race previews.
Today’s best action is across the Irish Sea. At Leopardstown we have an Irish 1,000 Guineas and the feature race the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (3:15). It looks set to be an informative race with last year’s Futurity winner Mac Swiney taking on impressive Group 3 winner Ballyax winner Bolshoi Ballet. It’s not a two-horse race as the third home in the Ballysax Taipan is likely capable of better given this will be only his third career start.
It’s also the first of the three days of racing at picturesque Killarney. The next definite selections will be at York’s Dante Meeting but there maybe the odd one from Killarney over the next couple of days so watch for inbox for updates.
Leopardstown
2:45 – Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial (Group 3) (Fillies) – 1m
Fantasy Lady won a Listed race at the Curragh on her final juvenile start but ran flat on her seasonal return at Naas. Surely better than that form and a reproduction of last years best form puts her very much in the mix.
Impressive Dundalk winner My Generation didn’t get the best of passages in the 1,000 Guineas Trial (7f) here last month. She’s likely better than that form and is capable of better.
Acanella a winner of a C&D maiden here 25-days ago is the filly with the most potential. There was plenty to like about how the half-sister to Flintshire went clear of her rivals inside the final furlong on her racecourse debut. Needs to improve plenty for that run but that seems likely and she could be a Group 1 filly in the making.
1pt win – Acanella – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
3:15 – Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 2f
Arguably the strongest Derby Trial we have seen so far and I think this race could provide this year’s Epsom Derby winner.
Last seasons’ futurity winner Mac Swiney makes his eagerly awaited seasonal reappearance. The colt is likely to be close to favoritism for next months Epsom Derby if he wins today. Stable seem to be running a pacemaker here so they mean business.
The Aidan O’Brien 3-year-olds haven’t looked a strong bunch so far this season but the one colt who has impressed is recent Ballysax winner Bolshoi Ballet. The son of Galileo has race fitness on his side today and is the one to beat.
In her recent Racing Post Stale Tour Jessica Harrington has suggested that Taipan was potentially her Epsom Derby horse. The son of Frankel built on the promise of last November’s Naas maiden win when finishing a 2 ¾ lengths 3rd of 8 to Bolshoi Ballet last time. A strongly run 1m 2f will suit and slower ground could see him get closer to the winner.
Verdict: I’m really looking forward to this. I’m a fan of Mac Swiney and I think he can make a winning return to action. Taipan adds further spice to what’s likely to be informative race.
4:45 – Earl Of Tyrone improved for the step up to 1m 2f when 4th of 21 at the Curragh last time. Takes a step up to 1m 4f but he’s steadily progressive and should be suited by the new distance. Stall 13 isn’t ideal but I’m expecting the colt to go well on his handicap debut.
1pt win – Earl Of Tyrone – 8/1 @ Bet365
Killarney
3:30 – Farm Modernisation Ltd Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – 2m 1f
Jesse Evans put in a career best effort when a 1 length 3rd of 24 at the Punchestown Festival 12-days ago. Up 4lb for that effort but provided this race doesn’t come to quick he remains on a competitive mark.
Arthurian Flame will be all the better for a recent spin on the flat but is likely vulnerable to any unexposed runners off his present mark.
Andratx a useful performer back in 2017 showed he retains plenty of ability when a 2 ½ lengths 2nd of 16 to Zoffanien at Ballinrobe last time. Jordan Gainford takes off a handy 7lb and the 8-year-old has each-way claims.
Another who could get into the money is Jon Ess. The 7-year-old is only 1-16 over hurdles but put in a career best effort on RPR’s when 2nd of 20 at Fairyhouse last month. Must be respected if in the same form as last time.
Verdict: If this race doesn’t come to quick Jesse Evans is the most likely winner with Andratx & Jon Ess both interesting each way.
1pt win – Jesse Evans – 11/2 @ Bet365
1pt each way– Andratx – 12/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John