The Curragh in Ireland hosts classic racing over the weekend with the Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday and the Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday.
On Saturday, fourteen colts have accepted, and Poetic Flare and Lucky Vega first and third in the Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month head the market.
There was only half a length separating these two at the finish with the injured Master Of The Seas between them. Last Sunday, Jim Bolger raided Longchamp with his winner attempting to also lift the French Guineas trophy. But he could only manage to finish sixth to St Mark’s Basilica. Jim Bolger is dual accepted as Mac Swiney also takes his place in this event.
This New Approach colt ran two weeks ago at Leopardstown in the Gr3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial over 2000m and was beaten over 6 lengths by the new Epsom Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet.
Love takes on the boys in the Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Pic – Coolmore)
Aidan O’Brien is represented by four runners – Battleground, Van Gogh and Wembley who all finished unplaced in Poetic Flare’s Guineas, as well as a maiden winner San Martino.
Charlie Appleby saddles two runners for Godolphin – La Barrosa whose last start was contesting the Gr3 bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket in April. He finished a close second beaten three-quarters of a length by stable companion Master of The Seas. One Ruler who finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket is also declared.
There are still eighteen fillies nominated for the Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday. The 1000 Guineas form is represented by Fev Rover for Richard Fahey, the only English trained runner. This filly stayed on well at the finish to be beaten just over a length by the winner Mother Earth from the Aidan O’Brien stable.
O’Brien has nominated four runners. Jockey bookings have not yet been declared, but Joan of Arc is the form standout from the yard. Joseph O’Brien has a strong hand with five fillies nominated including Pretty Gorgeous who has the highest official rating. Aiden’s younger son, Donnacha sends out Shale a Gr1 winning juvenile when beating Pretty Gorgeous by three-quarters of a length at this course over 1400m.
One Ruler could run in the Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas
The much-vaunted champion three-year-old filly of last season Love takes on the boys in the Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup for four-year-olds and older over 2100m earlier on the Sunday card. Declarations are again not finalised, but Aidan O’Brien has included stable companions Armory, Broome a three-time winner this season, Japan, Serpentine winner of last year’s English Derby, Tiger Moth and Mogul. Dermot Weld has declared the highly rated mare Search for A Song.
On Friday, the last Cazoo Derby trial takes place at Goodwood – the listed Cocked Hat Stakes run over 2200m. Yibir, a son of Dubawi contests his third race this season for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. Law of The Sea from the John Gosden stable with Dettori in the irons also represents Godolphin. Etonian for Richard Hannon and Lone Eagle trained by Martin Meade are the highest rated runners in the field and both have their second starts of the season.
Reviewing last weekend, the Gp1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes was run over the Newbury straight mile and Palace Pier won this prestigious prize in emphatic fashion. Placed slightly further back then mid-field after the start, the champion miler was moved out wide towards the rails going through the 600m mark. At this point the great showman Frankie Dettori could be seen on two occasions looking behind for any potential dangers.
Thereafter he kicked for home and although the only filly in the race Lady Bowthorpe showed a lot of resolution to stay on gamely for second, the race was no longer a contest as Palace Pier won easing up and had a strong field beaten many lengths. The John Gosden trained colt has now won three Gr1’s over a mile.
Earlier on the card, the Gr3 Al Rayyan Stakes over 2400m was contested by a small but select field of five. As the field rounded the turn into the long Newbury straight Dettori elected to move the 2019 St Ledger winner Logician to the middle of the track whilst most of the field led by Thunderous stayed on the rail.
Jim Crowley aboard the 10/11 favourite Al Aasy followed Dettori on the grey until 400m from home when he was pulled out for his run. Al Aasy then glided past the leader to win effortlessly by four lengths under a 3lb penalty. Winning trainer William Haggas said, “he looks like Nijinsky at home in his work and we’re seeing his class on the track now.”
John Leeper, named after trainer Ed Dunlop’s father, has thrown his name in the hat for the Cazoo Derby next month with a taking victory at Newmarket in the Listed Betway Fairway Stakes over 2000m. Cut as low as 6/1 ante post for Epsom glory this son of Frankel has only had three starts but is unbeaten this season in two and keeps on improving now going over ground. Ed Dunlop knows a good horse having trained amongst others the mighty Ouija Board and this colt’s dam Snow Fairy and has high hopes for Epsom glory.
