The Irish Derby is very competitive this year for a very welcomed change. Coolmore’s decision to field only one or two horses has encouraged other trainers and owners to have a go and that can only be great for racing.
The Curragh have a competitive Derby race to promote with the first three home in the English Derby taking each other on again along with the high class Trading Leather and Sugar Boy among others. It is sure to be a true run race and if Ruler of the World can follow up his Epsom victory then he will have proved that he is indeed the king of the three year old’s this year over the Derby trip.
I plan to go to my first Irish Derby this Saturday and cannot wait to see the Derby which is run at the later time of 18:30 to avoid a clash with the team sporting event taking place on Saturday Afternoons. Libertarian has every chance of reversing the form with Ruler of the World on this more galloping track but does have to travel abroad this time.
Galileo Rock will appreciate the more galloping track too but I like his Sandown Derby Trial conqueror Sugar Boy who has been kept fresh for this race. Sugar Boy can be backed at 9/1 and is a cracking each way bet. The unusual thing about the Derby this year is the ground is good to firm and the Curragh racecourse team have been watering the track since Tuesday. I guess it is short sleeves and no umbrella for racing this Saturday which is a very welcome change indeed.
Eye Catchers that ran over the previous Week and weekend 22nd/23rd June
Well Sharp – Trainer Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey Fran Berry
Fran Berry enjoyed a beautiful trip on Well Sharp who was positioned in the right place at every point of the two and a half miles Ascot Stakes Handicap. It takes a very good horse to win a race this easy having already gone up 10lbs for a previous win. Well Sharp has been allocated a revised rating of 102 following this Ascot win which is just four pounds shy of what Simenon was rated having won twice at the meeting last year. Well Sharp is only a five year old and if improving further can be competitive at the top level despite having to drop back in trip. The Irish Leger could be an option as it is usually a less competitive race that the English equivalent. Owner JP McManus loves the jumping game so maybe an Ascot Cup campaign next year will have to be worked around the spring jumping festivals. It’s a nice problem to have for all connections concerned.
Kiyoshi – Trainer Charlie Hills – Jockey Jamie Spencer
She showed a clean pair of heels to the other two year olds going clear despite hanging badly away from the stand side. The second, third and fourth are all the right horses filling the places so she must be very special. According to her trainer and jockey she has loads of stamina on her Dam side so she should stay a mile in time. Have we just seen the 2014 1000 guineas winner on fast ground?
Remote – Trainer John Gosden – Jockey William Buick
Remote picked up really impressively up the finishing straight to win nicely at the end. He had plenty to do with 2000 guineas third Van Der Neer up near the pace but stayed on stoutly to win. A step up in trip to a mile and a half could see Remote improve further and reach Group 1 class. This was only his fourth start and he is been taking up in class slowly like a good one by shrewd trainer John Gosden.
Another Cocktail – Trainer Hughie Morrison – Jockey Jimmy Fortune
Jimmy was checked a couple of times when making his run near the far rail at vital times of the King George V Stakes (Handicap) over 1m 4f. He finished fifth beaten just over two lengths and was unlucky not to have finished second at the least. He saw out this trip very well and has been in fine form all this season so far. Surely his turn will come and he can win a class 2 valuable handicap with a little more luck in running.
Riposte – Trainer Lady Cecil – Jockey Tom Queally
The best filly in the Group 1 Ribblesdale Stakes won comprehensively despite a slow break. This was a very impressive victory with Riposte showing an eye catching turn of foot to leave the rest of the field behind. The form is very good as the second has a third in the Irish Guineas to her name and was rated 107 coming into the Ribblesdale. Riposte is a Group 1 filly and will be very hard to beat on good or better ground this summer.
The Fugue – Trainer John Gosden – Jockey William Buick
The Fugue showed how good a turn of foot she possesses by quickening down the outside to claim third in the Prince of Wales Stakes over a mile. The winner ridden by James Doyle was alert to the canny ride by Paul Hanagan up front and just got there to win on Al Kazeem. The Fugue was out the back with an impossible amount to do but closed the best up the straight. She loves good/firm ground and needs it to show her impressive turn of foot. This was her first start of the year and she will progress and surely bag a Group 1 this summer.
Coach House – Trainer Aidan O’Brien – Jockey Joseph O’Brien
The winner of the Norfolk Stakes broke the track record but had a big advantage in being much more forward than the rest of the field. No Nay Never won easily but looked a monster compared to the other two year olds with Coach House the best of the rest on the day. He came with every chance a furlong out but could not go with the exceptional winner. The good news is that he will not have to meet the winner unless travelling to the breeder’s cup so can pick up a few races in the meantime.
Berkshire – Trainer Paul Cole – Jockey Jim Crowley
Berkshire was shown on television at the start whilst the commentators were raving out how well Bunker looked. Well for my eye Berkshire looked the more mature, stronger and better scopey individual. Looks count for nothing unless they are backed up by a performance and Berkshire blew the field away in the Chesham Stakes. He travelled brilliantly and could be picked out on the stands side after the two furlong marker making a devastating move that looked all too easy. He hit the front and won easily from the “Richard Hughes” banker of the week Bunker who stayed on impressively. Both horses are very good but Berkshire looks a beast and good to see Paul Cole back with a good one.
Lethal Force – Trainer Clive Cox – Jockey Adam Kirby
There was no fluke about this horse winning the Jubilee Stakes Group 1 over 6 furlongs last Saturday. He had finished a very good second at York to Society Rock on softer than ideal ground beaten just a head. Society Rock is a favourite of mine but comes with a huge hazard regarding the stalls and the break. Lethal Force carries no such baggage being a very straight forward pop out and catch me if you can type. If the ground is good or better the next time they meet (July Cup) I can see the same result unless Society Rock decides to break very fast. Lethal Force in just a four year old and that is still very young to be beating his elders as sprinters improve a lot with age and further physical development. His win here has been slightly under rated and that is something I hope to capitalise on over the next couple of races.
Zabana – Trainer Andrew Lynch – Jockey Robbie Colgan
Zabana made it two from three hurdle races running out an impressive winner at Gowran last Sunday. The ground was very quick on the day and this suited Zabana according to trainer Andew Lynch. He showed a clean pair of heels to his market rival Hurricane Ridge off the final bend and went a few lengths clear down to the last. He was kept up to his work to hold the staying on Hurricane Ridge. His jumping was good and this 74 rated ex flat horse can progress further on summer ground. He would be interesting if turning up in a race at the Galway Festival.
Best of luck,
Nicky