Aidan O’Brien swept the Classics at the Curragh this weekend. Gstaad and Precise landed the Irish 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively. On Saturday there was drama at Haydock though, with another ground-based delay.
After the bank holiday weekend, here is today’s racing news round-up for Tuesday.
Irish Guineas weekend sees Ballydoyle dominate
Aidan O’Brien dominated the first Irish Classics at the Curragh. On Saturday, Gstaad justified strong favouritism in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He went one better than he did at Newmarket in the absence of that race’s winner Bow Echo. Gstaad won by more than three lengths and is set for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Bow Echo may meet him there, as could Distant Storm, second at the Curragh after finishing third at Newmarket. (BBC)
One day later, O’Brien was victorious again. However, Ryan Moore chose wrong again on the fillies’ side. Having ridden Precise at Newmarket when she was only seventh to stablemate True Love, Moore swapped mounts only to see Precise sweep by True Love this time. Wayne Lordan partnered the two-time juvenile Group 1 winner to glory at the Curragh. O’Brien nominated the Epsom Oaks as her next target as she seeks a second Classic. (Sky Sports)
Haydock hole causes another ITV delay
Just two weeks on from a disruption at Chester, another ITV meeting was delayed due to a ground dilemma. On Saturday, Friendly Soul stumbled when encountering a sinkhole on the Haydock home straight. John & Thady Gosden’s filly was immediately pulled up in her race, but jockeys and trainers reported the incident. The only remaining races which took place were on the straight course for the rest of the card. (Daily Express)
Epsom Classics: Joseph O’Brien and Andrew Balding differ on Oaks & Derby chances
Joseph O’Brien’s Thundering O was the big market mover for the Epsom Oaks over the weekend. However, her trainer sounded a word of caution for any backers with her next target yet to be decided. She also has the option of the Prix De Diane, the French Oaks run at Chantilly. O’Brien said “we have to see how her final work goes” before committing to either race. Thundering On halved in price from 161 to 8/1 before her trainer’s quotes. (Racing Post)
Conversely, Andrew Balding spoke with confidence about his leading Derby chance. Item is the general third favourite having won the Dante Stakes at York in fine style. The Juddmonte-owned three-year-old is unbeaten in three starts and is the leading British fancy according to the betting. Balding has said that he is “very confident” that Item will stay the 1m4f trip at Epsom. The Dante Stakes is run over 1m2 1/2f, just short of the Derby distance. (Sky Sports)