Hi all,
On Friday there’s more Group 3 action across the Irish Sea at the Curragh with a competitive looking Royal Whip Stakes (6.00) and the Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (7.00). The latter race is likely to see the return of Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Princess Zoe. At Newbury the feature race of a seven-race card is the Listed St Hugh’s Stakes (3:20) for the juvenile fillies.
A busy pre-Ebor Festival weekend starts here and It’s the Curragh card that interests me most although I do have a selection running at Newbury.
Newbury
3:20 – BetVictor St Hugh’s Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies) – 5f
Delmona top rated on RPR’s and is the one to beat but she does face 18 juvenile fillies many of whom are unexposed. A speedy filly she finished a ¾ length 3rd of 22 in the Super Sprint over C&D before going close in a Group 3 at Ascot and a Listed race at Deauville 6-days ago.
Kimngrace is one of those unexposed fillies. The daughter of Profitable is bred to be speedy and shaped with plenty of promise when a 3 ¼ length 4th of 12 at Newmarket on her racecourse debut last month. Interesting that trainer Richard Hughes throws her in the deep end for just her second career start.
4:30 – Walhann is well treated on the best of last year’s form for previous trainer Ian Williams. James Doyle has been booked for the ride which looks a positive but he may need a strongly run race to be seen at his best.
Neenee’s Choice made all to win a Ffos Lasmaiden 24-days ago. Capable of more progression on his handicap debut for an inform yard.
Willyorwon’t He has been steadily progressive this season and put in a personal best when a ½ length 3rd of 11 at Newmarket last time. Has been nudged up 2lb for that effort and drops back to a mile here. Still there should be more to come from the 3-year-old.
1pt win – Willyorwon’t He – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Curragh
4:55 – Rough Diamond was a strong finishing ¾ length 3rd of 14 at Tipperary two starts back and continued in form when a 3 ¼ length 6th of 19 in the Scurry Handicap here over 6f 27-days ago. Drop back to the minimum trip shouldn’t inconvenience the 4-year-old.
1pt win – Rough Diamond – 9/2 @ Bet365 or 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:30 – Swift One showed much improved form to win on his nursery debut over C&D. Handicapper has hiked up 12lb for that success but he won so easily he could be capable of defying his rise in the weights.
Heytesbury Lane also won her nursery debut last time at Tipperary (soft) 7-days ago. Finished her race off strongly enough to think she will be suited by today’s extra furlong. Only up 5lb and the yard is among the winners.
Unconquerable Keen improved on his first two starts when 4th of 15 at Naas 11-days ago. Can’t be ruled out on his nursery debut.
Arch Enemy is more exposed but she put in a career best when fast finishing 1 length 3rd of 10 at Sligo 9-days ago. Wasn’t well placed that day after a slow start and in the circumstance her effort can be marked up. Today’s extra distance should suit and it will be interesting to see if the money that came in for her last time arrives again.
1pt win – Heytesbury Lane – 11/2 @ Bet365
1pt win – Arch Enemy – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
6:00 – Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 2f
The forecast rain will suit Earlswood who improved to win a Group 3 over C&D two starts back. Not disgraced when 4th in the Irish Derby last time despite not getting the clearest of passages two out.
Visualisation won a handicap here over a mile in May and improved further when finishing runner-up to Foxes Tales in a Royal Ascot handicap over today’s distance. Goes very well in the mud and will appreciate any further easing in the ground.
Innisfree is a fascinating contender from the Aidan O’Brien yard. The colt is having his first start since finishing runner-up to Kameko in the 2019 Vertem Futurity. Won a heavy ground Group 2 here as a juvenile and if ready to roll after a 651-day absence will go close.
Layfayette an improving 3-year-old has progressed further this season winning the Irish Lincolnshire here over a mile on his seasonal reappearance and showed his versatility regarding distance when winning a Roscommon Listed race over 1m 4f last time. Needs to improve again but looks worth a go in Group 3 company.
Bolivar end his 3-year-old campaign with an excellent 2nd of 12 in a Listed race at Naas. Likely in need of the run when only 6th in a C&D Listed race on his seasonal return in June. Another who goes well on soft/heavy ground and can’t be dismissed for a trainer who is 2-5 in the past 14-days.
Verdict: It will be interesting to see how much ability Innisfree retain after his long absence. The forecast rain will suit both Earlswood & Visualisation and at the prices I just prefer the latter. Bolivar hails from a very much inform yard and isn’t out of this on the best of his 3-year-old form.
1pt win – Visualisation – 6/1 @ Bet365 or 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
7:00 – Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 6f
Princess Zoe runner-up in the Ascot Gold Cup is the one to beat here. Her Gold Cup performance was a career best from the mare. The forecast rain is another positive for the 6-year-old.
Twilight Payment won last year’s Melbourne Cup. A previous C&D winner he was well behind Princess Zoe at Royal Ascot but still must be respected.
Aidan O’Brien has saddled the last seven winners of the race. He runs two in this year’s contest and the best of them looks to be Wordsworth. Third in the Irish Derby and runner-up in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris. He disappointed behind Ottoman Emperor at Goodwood 15-days ago. May not have handled the track last time but should at least be suited by the step up to 1m 6f.
Barrington Court ended last season very much on the up when winning Listed races at Naas on her final starts of 2020. Likely in need of the run when only 5th on her seasonal return at Gowran Park back in May. Looks set for an autumn campaign and goes well on soft ground. Has a bit to find with Princess Zoe on last year’s form but could get into the money.
Verdict: This looks between Princess Zoe and Wordsworth. Although Barrington Court would have place claims if bouncing back to last autumn’s best.
7:30 – Hammersmith finished a 2 ¾ length 4th of 20 over C&D in March, off 2lb higher. His best performances on the level have come at the Curragh and if he was to bounce back to form would have each way claims.
1pt each way – Hammersmith – 25/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
8:00 – Strange Times might be a nine-race maiden but she’s shown some useful form, including when a ½ length 2nd of 22 at Naas 11-days ago. Up 2lb but looks capable of winning races off around her present mark.
She’s In The Game has finished runner-up on her last two starts at Cork. Se’s been raised 5lb for her latest performance but is knocking on the door and can’t be ruled out. If handling the likely softer ground.
1pt win – Strange Times – 7/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John