Ahead of an exciting weekend of racing across the courses, I’ll be featuring a preview of the Greenlands Stakes and 2000 Guineas contests at the Curragh on Saturday, as well as providing my selections from a number of races in the UK and taking a brief look at the action at Pilmico and Auteuil.
(All prices are correct at the time of writing)
THE CURRAGH:
2:45 – Greenlands Stakes (Group 2)
Nine runners line up in this competitive Group Two contest, headed by classy performer A Case Of You.
Adrian McGuinness’ four-year-old is returning to the track following a successful stint in Meydan in which he ran twice, finishing second in a Group Three, before winning a valuable Group One over this trip.
He has failed to win on his last two appearances at the Curragh, over 5f and 6f respectively, and was beaten by Gustavus Weston and Power Under Me when third here last August.
Since then he has been performing better than the winner there, Gustvaus Weston, but will have to give 3lbs away to his rival.
Power Under Me has started off his campaign in promising fashion, winning a Listed race at Cork last month on his seasonal reappearance, beating some useful sprinters including recent Group Three winner Twilight Spinner.
Brad The Brief beat Glen Shiel on his seasonal reappearance, but both appear vulnerable in this company unless performing to their best as they can be quite inconsistent.
Their best form demands respect, however it’s difficult to see them getting on terms with the Irish runners on their home turf, despite both English-raiders being relatively short in the market.
Glen Shiel is a course and distance winner, but that win came in a less competitive Group Three, and he is winless in eight runs, which does cast some doubts over him from a winning perspective.
He often just fails, finishing second on three occasions in his last seven runs, including behind top-class sprinters in Dream Of Dreams and Creative Force, and it’s likely he’ll find one or two better than him here.
Gustavus Weston has been a very useful performer for connections, but is another who is inconsistent which him difficult to back with much confidence.
He finished sixth of seven when returning to the track last month, but is a horse who usually needs the run first time out and he’ll likely put in a better showing here.
On his day he can certainly challenge, and he’s been dropped 3lbs which puts him in with chance.
He beat Power Under Me and A Case Of You, as mentioned, here last summer, carrying a hefty weight, and if he’s able to perform to that level he will be in the mix.
Mooneista hasn’t been beaten far by a few of those who line up against him, but he does need to find more to get his head in front.
He does benefit from carrying the lowest weight in the race, however, which could see him run well.
Make A Challenge is another course and distance winner, but would probably need the ground a bit softer, and the yard’s form raises questions, with the trainer recording a 0% strike rate in the past two weeks.
Urban Beat is another with plenty to find, whilst outsider of the field Majestic Colt, despite being a dual-Group Three winner in Germany, has looked out of his depth since making the switch to Ireland and would need to show plenty of improvement.
Best bet:
Power Under Me 5/1 – G M Lyons, Colin Keane
The favourite, A Case Of You, is the biggest threat to Power Under Me in this contest.
A ‘without favourite’ bet could be a safer option, however I’ve seen enough from Power Under Me in recent performances to be willing to take the risk with him.
When running behind A Case Of You last year he was hampered and finished third before being placed second.
He finished strongly there, as he did last time out, showing an impressive turn of foot.
On his second appearance this season he could show even further improvement, and is a generous price at 5/1.
3:20 – Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)
Native Trail is the odds-on favourite to go one better than his second-placed finish behind Coreobus at Newmarket in the English equivalent.
He was unbeaten up until his Classic bid, and was far from disgraced but was beaten by the better horse on the day.
The future looks bright for the son of Oasis Dream, and the mile appears to be his optimum trip.
He’s an imposing type who is progressing nicely and has experience at the course, having travelled over last September to win the Group One Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
Duke De Sessa, who lines up against him here, finished over ten-lengths behind in sixth.
It’s difficult to see past the Godolphin representative, in what appears to be an Irish Guineas perhaps lacking in quality milers.
Plenty of runners are bred to stay further, and the next two in the market, Buckaroo and Ivy League both fall into that category, with both having entries in the Derby at Epsom next month.
Buckaroo, the only other single figure priced runner in the field, would be an interesting contender in the next English Classic, currently best priced at 25/1 in antepost markets.
He is likely to be the best of the rest here, and is the worthy second favourite.
Ivy League’s pedigree certainly suggests a step up to 1m2f and 1m4f will show improvement, and the colt makes only his fifth start here, having made his debut in March.
He is perhaps slightly unexposed in this company, and Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-olds have been in flying form.
Another good run by this son of Galileo would not be surprising.
Wexford Native finished four-lengths behind Buckaroo last time out, at the Curragh over this trip, just ahead of New Energy with Malex another two-lengths behind.
All three have plenty to do to reverse that form, and even more to do to get near the level Native Trail has been performing at, and their prices reflect this.
Malex wears first-time blinkers for a trainer, Michael O’Callaghan, who has been saddling plenty of promising young horses this season.
That could bring improvement from the Kodiac colt, but his maiden win over Boundless Ocean who finished thirteenth in the English Guineas would suggest he may not be quite ready for such a challenge yet.
Duke De Sessa beat Piz Badile as a two-year-old, and could be one who will show improvement with more experience, but is perhaps best watched for now as he has looked out of his depth at this level this term.
Imperial Fighter finished second to Coroebus in October, but his run behind Checkandchallenge on the all-weather, a colt who went on to finish fourteenth of fifteen in the English 2000 Guineas over nine-lengths behind Native Trail, suggests he is running for a share of the prize money here.
Atomic Jones is an interesting runner in the field, having recorded two wins from two in his debut season, and the form has been franked by Stone Age, currently one of the favourites for the Derby.
On only his second start he beat Aidan O’Brien’s promising colt in a Group Two contest over a mile.
He was well-beaten on his reappearance, finishing nine-lengths behind Stone Age over 1m2f, but could be forgiven the run, and drops back to a mile once again here.
His pedigree suggests he will stay further, but he is inexperienced and may have needed the run.
Value bet:
Atomic Jones 25/1 (EW) (9/1 w/o Native Trail) – G M Lyons, Colin Keane
Another selection for the formidable partnership of Lyons and Keane.
By Wootton Bassett, this young colt has plenty to like about him and may be overlooked following his poor run last time out.
He is available at a big price, despite showing top class form over the trip as a two-year-old.
The favourite, Native Trail, will win unless he runs massively below par, however, from a betting perspective there could be some value in the each-way markets or betting without the favourite.
Buckaroo is clearly the biggest danger, but is better over further, whilst Ivy League must be respected from a top yard but is another running over a shorter trip than ideal.
The race looks open in-behind the favourite, and at a big price Atomic Jones could be one to improve on his seasonal reapparance and mount a challenge for the places.
3:55 – Hanlon Concrete Orby Stakes (Listed)
Wordsworth is the current market leader ahead of this mile-and-a-half contest.
The Ballydoyle representative drops back to a distance he is yet to win over, and does bring with him a few question marks in regards to his form.
Jason The Militant and Okita Soushi are also prominent towards the head of the market, whilst top-weight Camorra is a 17/2 shot.
Azallya is an interesting contender for Dermot Weld, but may improve for the run and does have a bit to find with a few on form.
It’s likely we’ll learn plenty about a few of these following this race, as many run for the first time this season, and there are some regular jumpers added into the mix.
In what appears to be a relatively open contest there could be some each-way value in some bigger priced runners and the preference goes to a former William Haggas runner who has only recently made the switch across the Irish Sea.
Long shot:
Favourite Moon 28/1 (EW – 4 places) – William Durkan, Shane B Kelly
This will be his debut for the yard, and he may need to show plenty of improvement if a few of his rivals turn up near their best, but he is an interesting runner at a big price.
He has gained plenty of experience in recent seasons, running over different distances and making appearances in Graded races down under, in Australia.
He won a Grade Three Handicap over 1m4f at Rosehill in March, 2021 on his seasonal debut, beating Listed winner Realm Of Flowers.
The son of Sea The Moon may struggle to win this, but he may outrun his odds, and with four places available with some bookmakers, a placed finish may not be out of his reach and he often runs well first time out.
HAYDOCK:
2:35 – Silver Bowl Handicap (Class 2)
Mighty Ulysees 13/8 – John & Thady Gosden, Benoit De La Sayette (5)
The three-year-old colt looked very impressive when winning at Newmarket last week, and should continue that form here on his handicap debut.
He has looked comfortable over a mile, and we perhaps haven’t seen where his limitations lie over the trip.
His fifth at Epsom over 1m2f was far from disastrous, beaten only half-a-length by potential Derby contender United Nations who went on to win a Listed Derby trial ahead of Walk Of Stars at Lingfield.
Jockey, Benoit De La Sayette, claims 5lbs onboard the favourite, and the yard has returned to form of late, performing at a strike rate of 31% in the past two weeks.
3:10 – Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)
Beauty Inspire 16/1 (EW – 4 places) – G M Lyons, Mark Enright
This talented son of Mehmas has won in both his two starts to date.
He was due to run in last Sunday’s Lacken Stakes at Naas, before being declared a non-runner after getting upset in the stalls.
He was unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old but hasn’t had a race since July, whilst others in the field benefit from a recent run.
The price indicates he isn’t overly fancied for this, and he may well come on for the run, but he is a big price considering he hasn’t done much wrong in his career to date.
He looked well in the paddock at Naas, and was unfortunate to have to be ruled out.
The favourite here, Go Bears Go, is a speedy type, and returned to winning ways at Ascot last month.
However, he is exposed at this level, and doesn’t always run to form, so he may be vulnerable to some improving rivals if he isn’t at his best.
El Caballo (second choice) is interesting returning to turf, having recently recorded a four-timer at Newcastle.
This is his first appearance in Group company, but he is an exciting prospect who should go well.
But, Beauty Inspire remains the selection at the prices, in hope the stunning-looking colt can go on to put a marker down on his first run as a three-year-old.
Mehmas has been siring plenty of winners, and he is a stallion whose progeny are performing well, especially over the shorter distances.
Whatever the outcome, Beauty Inspire is sure to be a horse to keep an eye on this season.
3:45 – Temple Stakes (Group 2)
Came From The Dark 6/1 – Ed Walker, Tom Marquand
Ed Walker’s gallant grey has run at Haydock five times, winning three races and finishing second once.
Two of his wins have come over 5f, on good and soft ground respectively.
He clearly enjoys the track, isn’t ground dependent and also benefits from a recent run.
On his seasonal reappearance he finished tenth of twelve, but is likely to come on for the run, as he often does.
Winter Power is a worthy favourite for this, but can be inconsistent.
She receives the 3lbs fillies’ allowance, and if anything near her best will surely be hard to beat, but she isn’t the most reliable and there are other talented horses in the field.
Ainsdale (66/1 – 4 places) is a massive price considering he hasn’t finished too far behind King’s Lynn when the two have faced each other, and the latter is one of the more prominent contenders in the betting market.
He may need the run on his first time out this season, but in what appears to be an open contest, he may perform better than his odds suggest.
GOODWOOD:
1:45 – Class 2 Handicap
River Pride 15/2 – Richard Hannon, Pat Dobbs
This daughter of Oasis Dream has been performing consistently of late, and could possibly be slightly overlooked in the market.
She finished second in this class last week, dropped back down to 6f, but returns over 7f here which has suited her in her previous runs.
On her first appearance this season she won a Nursery Handicap at Chelmsford, beating twelve rivals, and there could be plenty more to come from her.
The current softer going shouldn’t be too much of an issue as she has run respectively over the trip on soft last year, finishing third behind Wild Beauty.
However, a sounder surface would probably be more to her liking and see her be more competitive.
She looks a progressive filly who could be another to keep an eye on this season.
2:15 – Festival Stakes (Listed)
Victory Chime 7/1 – Ralph Beckett, Hector Crouch
A course and distance winner at two and six, the experienced seven-year-old has enjoyed successes at Goodwood and will be bidding for his third win at the track.
His last run could be forgiven at Sakhir as prior to that he had been performing well, finishing a nose behind King Of Clubs at Sandown when giving 20lbs away, before winning twice.
He won a lower class contest at Chester then tasted glory in a Listed contest here, ahead of West End Charmer who is attempting to reverse form with Ralph Beckett’s gelding.
Victory Chime is available at an enticing price, given he has run well on plenty of occasions in the past.
He can be inconsistent but he runs off a career-high mark of 109 here and could be competitive.
INTERNATIONAL:
There’s plenty of exciting action away from the tracks of the UK & Ireland this weekend, with the second of the Triple Crown events taking place at Pimlico, USA, the Preakness Stakes.
Unfortunately, the shock Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, will not be lining up to attempt to win the historic treble of races, considered to be one of the greatest accomplishments possible in racing.
Connections have decided to bypass the event and focus their preparation on the Belmont Stakes, set to take place on the 11th of June.
Despite the absence of Rich Strike, there will still be plenty of talent on show, and Kentucky Derby favourite Epicenter, who chased home the winner at Churchill Downs, will be favourite once again and is the likeliest winner.
Eight are set to oppose Steven Asmussen’s colt, with the biggest dangers likely to be Secret Oath and Early Voting.
Secret Oath won the Kentucky Oaks well and receives the fillies’ allowance here.
Early Voting has recorded two wins from three starts and may be open to further improvement.
Simplification finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby but will need to build on that to get near Epicenter, whilst Creative Minister could be an interesting contender stepping up in grade.
Over obstacles there is Irish interest in Auteuil, France, where Willie Mullins saddles four horses.
In the 2:50, Instit takes on in-form Hotesse Du Chenet in a Listed Race over hurdles, before Klassical Dream, Kemboy and Tornado Flyer take on the French in the Grade One Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil, the French Champion Hurdle.
L’autonamie is the favourite ahead of the Grade One contest, with Paul Townend’s mount Klassical Dream the biggest danger in the betting.
Rachael Blackmore partners up with Kemboy, as Danny Mullins retains the ride aboard the King George winner Tornado Flyer.
Willie Mullins has won five French Champion Hurdles, most recently in 2019 with Benie des Dieux, and he has sent over a strong team in an attempt to win his sixth.
By Katie Midwinter (20/05/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 