Broome | Horse Racing Free Tips

Can Love Conquer All?

Customarily, when a Ballydoyle VIP attracts the kind of support that Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has in the lead-up to Saturday's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. at Ascot, it is more than a subtle pointer to the eventual outcome. Whether the filly who so readily dispatched of her peers in last year's G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks has this inspiringly-crafted renewal “locked down” depends not only on the strength of the opposition but also on the volatile weather. A renowned “daisy-cutter” who had fast conditions in her favour when returning to garner the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at the Royal meeting here June 16, the chestnut could literally have the ground underneath her shift if the storms hit hard. Up to 13mm of rain is forecast overnight, which brings Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) heavily into the equation and favours the 3-year-old colts Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who already have the advantage of an eight-pound pull due to weight-for-age.

Love also has the question mark hanging over her concerning the kind of opposition she has so far faced, having met only four members of the other sex, all in the Prince of Wales's where her stablemate Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was just 1 1/2 lengths behind. Old-stager Desert Encounter (Ire) (Halling) was only 4 1/2 lengths back on that occasion and he is nowhere near this level these days, so it may be that the filly has something to prove here despite the positive vibes. “She ended up making the running in the Prince of Wales's, but she's very straightforward and very genuine and everything has gone well with her since,” Aidan O'Brien commented. “She's very versatile–she had the pace to win a Guineas and seemed to get the Oaks trip very well but we want nice ground as she's a nice mover.”

Ryan Moore has hit a seam with the stable's Group 1 runners in the past three weeks and added, “This is possibly a deeper race than the betting would have you believe. She was obviously an exceptional 3-year-old and we were delighted with her reappearance win in the Prince of Wales's S. here, as she wouldn't have been fully tuned up then. There could easily be more to come from her too and I think it is fair to say she is the one to beat if it stays fast. She is a top-class racehorse.”

If the weather turns, Christopher Wright's Wonderful Tonight will be poised to strike and after what happened in the course-and-distance G2 Hardwicke S. June 19 she will be a key member of the select party in the case of the ground easing significantly. This time last year, she was being put in her place by Valia (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in ParisLongchamp's Listed Prix de Thiberville, but her subsequent ascension has been remarkable and she is a true elite performer now. Finding two stones of improvement through wins in the G3 Prix Minerve at Deauville in August and the G1 Prix de Royallieu back at ParisLongchamp and G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot in October, she showed the kind of acceleration when dealing with Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the Hardwicke that wins these kind of races.

“She has everything,” trainer David Menuisier said earlier this week. “The will to win and the strength. She's sweet but assertive. She knows what she wants in life and that translates to the track. She does everything actively, she's a busy bee. This filly, on very soft ground, does not need to make an effort when others do. Even when she's lacking fitness, that gets her there because the others get tired.”

While this race used to be the second port of call for winners of the G1 Epsom Derby after the Eclipse and Irish Derby, that is no longer the case and it came as something of a mild surprise when Charlie Appleby committed Adayar to the cause this year. There have been mitigating circumstances for the void of Derby heroes appearing here, with injuries and the weather intervening to scupper some best-laid plans. Of the trio who have tried the lauded double since the success of Galileo in 2001, Kris Kin (Kris S.) managed a third placing in 2003 despite being one of the lesser Epsom winners since the turn of the century and both Workforce (GB) (King's Best) and Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had excuses when finishing out of the frame.

Adayar looks at this stage to be one of the better blue riband heroes of recent times, with the form of his June 5 romp subsequently upheld by the exploits of stablemate Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and others including the GI Belmont Derby winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Until proven otherwise, the Appleby yard seems to have the two best middle-distance colts of their generation and now that Hurricane Lane has upped the ante the ball is in Adayar's court again. “It hasn't been done since Galileo, so to take Adayar there is a huge occasion,” his trainer said. “What surprised us at Epsom was the turn of foot he showed halfway up the run-in, because we'd never seen it before. Post-race we analysed it and Hurricane Lane probably wouldn't have been able to quicken like Adayar did.”

“We've seen what St Mark's Basilica did for that generation in the Eclipse at Sandown and now the 3-year-olds go into the big-boy division over a mile and a half,” Appleby added of the homebred, who is only the second runner for his sire in this and the first to trade at short odds. “I'd love to think he's still developing. It will be interesting to see what the paddock watchers say on Saturday, but he looks fantastic and I'd be confident if you didn't know who he was, you couldn't pick him out as a 3-year-old among the older horses.”

Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's Lone Eagle was missing from the Epsom line-up due to a late setback and based on his impressive win under a penalty in the Listed Cocked Hat S. at Goodwood May 21 he would have been in the mix. Subsequently denied late on when second in the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh June 26, the homebred has the scope to progress again. “It's all systems go and we hope he can go one place better, but if we learned anything at The Curragh it was to put up with disappointment,” trainer Martyn Meade said. “It was just the worst thing, getting done on the line. He was so far clear two out and we were just about reaching for the champagne at the furlong marker, so it was hard to bear.”

Prince Faisal's Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) has the most weight to carry along with Broome, but he remains a colt with the quality to have a say shaping fitter for his comeback third in the G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown three weeks ago. “He's doing well. It's obviously a tough race–most of the top horses around seem to be heading there,” Thady Gosden said. “He's come on for his run at Sandown and goes there in good enough form. He obviously ran in February and March and it's a long time to keep them going all season, so we thought we best give him a break before the summer.” Aidan O'Brien gave an indication that Broome could set the pace as he said, “He loves to bowl along. In an ideal world you'd like to get a lead, but he is a horse who likes an even tempo. We'd be delighted if someone gave him a lead–if not he'd bowl along himself, I suppose. He's in good form and seems to have come out of his last race well.”

Ballydoyle are also represented by the aforementioned Armory in the G2 Sky Bet York S., where he has to give 12 pounds to the sole 3-year-old Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Despite his Group 1 credentials, that is a tough task given that Shadwell's G3 Hampton Court S. winner is held in such high regard by William Haggas. Racing manager Angus Gold said, “I'm very much looking forward to seeing Mohaafeth run. We've waited for this race particularly and William and his team have been very happy with him. Let's see if he can take the next step and go from there. He's an exciting horse and one to look forward to and obviously he's done everything right this year. Hopefully there will be no excuses and we can see how we get on.” Aidan O'Brien said of Armory, who was very much on the premises in the Prince of Wales's, “We thought this looked a nice race for Armory. It's 10 furlongs on hopefully good ground and that is what he wants. Hopefully he'll run well.”

Back at Ascot, the G3 Princess Margaret Keeneland S. over six furlongs for 2-year-old fillies sees the June 26 Listed Empress Fillies' S. first and second System (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) and Desert Dreamer (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) renew rivalry. The latter has subsequently been back to Newmarket to finish runner-up in the July 9 G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. and trainer Stuart Williams is hoping she can gain due reward for her consistency. “We were very happy with her run in the Duchess of Cambridge,” he said. “She seems to have come out of the race really well, so we're looking forward to running her on Saturday. She's very tough and she takes her racing really well. I don't think she's ground-dependent really. She obviously goes on fast ground, but she won on good ground earlier in the year so I wouldn't mind it if it were good or even good-to-soft–it wouldn't bother her at all.”

Clipper Logistics' Attagirl (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) scored by four lengths over this trip at Haydock July 2 and trainer Karl Burke said he is hopeful she can make an impact. “I think a lot of her,” he said. “She's a lovely filly and I'm looking forward to seeing her run–she seems in great shape. She was impressive and we think she can improve on that, so we're very much looking forward to it.” Imad Alsagar's Nazanin (Declaration of War) scored on her debut over this trip at Newbury June 22 and is another of the unexposed types looking to step up. In the seven-furlong Listed Pat Eddery S., Godolphin's New Science (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) bids to put a disappointing seventh placing in the Listed Chesham S. at Royal Ascot June 19 behind him having beaten that race's runner-up Reach For the Moon (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) on debut at Yarmouth May 28. “He was disappointing, but it was very soft ground at Ascot last time,” Charlie Appleby said. “William [Buick] said he wasn't happy even going to post on the ground. We've put a line through it. His homework has been good since, I'm pleased with his preparation and if he can bounce back to his Yarmouth maiden form he's a major player.”

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The Weekly Wrap: Full Mark’s For Top Colt

A fortnight to go, apparently, until England casts aside all restrictions following the 16-month weirdness of the pandemic era. 'Freedom day', as it has been dubbed by those of Boris Johnson's government who are not currently serving time on the naughty step, has unfortunately not come in time for the regular 'July week' festivities in Newmarket. There will be racing with a reduced crowd and a sale taking place pretty much as normal, but without any of the parties and stallion parades that have become the staple of the town's midsummer highlight. As long as there's still an ice-cream stall at Tattersalls this week the bloodstock press bench will be happy.

It is fervently hoped that Ireland is granted similar freedom by its government before too long, for in our own small world the ongoing uncertainty regarding dates and locations of the yearling sales, in particular the Orby, is not helpful at all. The conflicting press releases of last week first clarified then muddied the situation and as much as it provides ongoing headaches for the sales companies, it can also be no fun for the consignors currently trying to line up staff for the season.

The past week's highlight came of course in the Coral-Eclipse, courtesy of the increasingly admirable St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). Last season's champion 2-year-old and the second Classic winner bred by Bob Scarborough from the Galileo (Ire) mare Cabaret (Ire), the colt was apparently oblivious to the lofty, globetrotting reputations of Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) as he strode past them up the Sandown hill. A potential rematch in the Juddmonte International is a thrilling prospect, as is the potential battle between Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Sussex S.

It seems crazy to think that up until this weekend there had been the pervading feeling that Aidan O'Brien was having something of a quiet season. He had by that stage won six European Classics, which is hardly slacking, but the overturning of talking horses High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the latter managing just seventh in the Derby as the lone Ballydoyle runner, exacerbated that impression.

We've come to expect the Ballydoyle colts to dominate, but so far this year the stable has been largely carried by the fillies. Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made a sensational belated return at Royal Ascot and she is backed up by a strong Classic generation that includes the mightily impressive Oaks winner Snowfall (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), English and Irish 1000 Guineas winners Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and Prix de Diane heroine Joan Of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

That is, of course, apart from St Mark's Basilica, who emulated Shamardal, Lope De Vega (Ire) and Brametot (Ire) in winning both the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club since the latter was reduced in distance to 10.5 furlongs in 2005. Beating a pair of seasoned older horses, even in a small field for the Eclipse, puts him to the head of his generation for now, until we see how Poetic Flare fares at Goodwood and Adayar at Ascot, in what could be a King George for the ages.

Also of significance for St Mark's Basilica, whose future lies at Coolmore, will be the early stud careers of his aforementioned half-brother and of Sottsass (Fr), who is bred on the same Siyouni-Galileo cross.

Sweeping The Board

In the mix for the King George among the older brigade is the quiet achiever Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who secured a memorable international Group 1 double for Aidan O'Brien over the weekend when landing the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The 5-year-old, who became his sire's fourth Group 1 winner, has been a model of consistency this year, winning at each stakes level up to Group 1 since the opening day of the season, as well as being beaten a short-head when second in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup and finishing runner-up to Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot.

While Australia's season is gathering a head of steam, credit must also be given to Broome's dam Sweepstake (Ire), who was a member of the first crop of Acclamation (GB) and became his second black-type winner in a matter of days when landing the listed National S at Sandown in May 2007.

Though she visited Galileo in 2012, her best results to date have come from her two matings with his son Australia, with Broome's full-brother Point Lonsdale (Ire) adding further lustre to the family by winning the listed Chesham S. The 2-year-old is also the most expensive of her yearlings to have passed through the sales. He was bought at Book 1 last year for 575,000gns, while the mare's 3-year-old Malathaat (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was a €500,000 purchase by Shadwell from breeder Croom House Stud at the previous year's Orby Sale.

Acclamation's first crop also included Dark Angel (Ire), who became his first group winner and has done more to enhance the line than any of his paternal half-brothers–though he may yet be challenged for that accolade by Mehmas (Ire).

While his male line is thriving, Acclamation is also enjoying a decent season as a broodmare sire. In this field he had three winners at Royal Ascot, with Point Lonsdale being joined by Perotto (GB) (New Bay {GB}) and Rohaan (Ire) (Mayson {GB}), who is to be supplemented for Saturday's G1 Darley July Cup.

High On The Hill

The weekend's results also provided the second stakes winner of the season–in fact, in eight days–for Tiana (GB) (Diktat {GB}), the pride of Fiona and Mick Denniff's broodmare band.

Racing in Fiona's own colours, Tiana's 3-year-old daughter Auria (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) landed the listed Coral Distaff at Sandown the Saturday after her elder half-sister Chil Chil (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) had won the G3 Chipchase S. The latter will line up again this coming Saturday in the July Cup.

The pair are the second and third stakes winners for their dam following the hugely talented Beat The Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), who notched five Group 2 wins as well as a Group 3 and listed success among his nine victories for Andrew Balding. He was also an important first group winner for his late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha of King Power Racing, who was then emboldened to give 500,000gns for Chil Chil at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Tiana was herself also bred by Denniff from the second mare she purchased, Hill Welcome (GB), back in 2001. The daughter of Most Welcome (GB) was bought as a 3-year-old at Doncaster having placed just once in seven starts for Barry Hills. Despite an underwhelming race record, she owned a decent pedigree as a half-sister to the G1 Middle Park S. winner Stalker (GB) (Kala Shikari {Fr}), but she was overlooked at the sale by all bar Denniff, who picked her up for just 3,000gns. The breeder will undoubtedly view that sum as money very well spent.

Hill Welcome went on to produce 10 winners from her 12 foals, with the Oh So Sharp S.-placed Tiana being one of three black-type performers along with the G3 Molecomb S. runner-up Mary Read (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and the 103-rated Aboyne N Beyond (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).

Tiana is not the only daughter to have established her own successful branch at the Denniffs' Nottinghamshire farm as Mary Read's treble-winning daughter Dubai Bounty (GB) (Dubai Destination) is the dam of the late Kachy (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), whose nine wins included the G3 Molecomb S.

Now a black-type winner herself, Auria will be an exciting returnee to Denniff Farms eventually, but her next task looks likely to be the G3 Atalanta S. back at Sandown in August.

Tiana's current 2-year-old by Dubawi (Ire) could broaden the family's success as she is now in America having been bought last October by Mike Ryan. The agent is pleased with her progress and told TDN that she has been given some time to mature before she heads into training this autumn, most likely with Chad Brown.

Breakthrough Success For Isfahan

Sisfahan (Fr) may have been bred in France but he brought about a notable breakthrough for his German-based sire Isfahan (Ger) when emulating his father by winning the G1 Deutsches Derby on Sunday.

It was not only an important first-crop Classic winner for the Gestut Ohlerweierhof stallion but it also makes Isfahan the only one of the second-crop sires in Europe to have been represented by a Group 1 winner this season. Of that group, Mehmas was the only sire to achieve that feat last year.

Isfahan was bought by Holger Faust for owner Stefan Oschmann's Darius Racing for €35,000 at the BBAG Yearling Sale of 2014 and, following a racing career which saw him win the German Derby, G3 Bavarian Classic and G3 Preis der Winterfavoriten, he was retired to stud by the owner. Oschmann has supported Isfahan not just with his own mares but also at the sales, and was last year rewarded with the stallion's first group winner, Isfahani (Ger), who landed the G3 Premio Guido Berardelli in Rome on debut.

Isfahan was the second-busiest stallion after Soldier Hollow (GB) in his first year at stud, but German covering numbers are significantly lower than those recorded by some stallions in Britain, Ireland and France. He covered 67 mares in 2018, followed by 46, then 35 in 2020.

Sisfahan, who is the first winner of Germany's most prized race for the country's champion trainer Henk Grewe, is also yet another feather in the cap of Guy Pariente's Haras de Colleville. Pariente is currently the leading breeder in France–ahead of such luminaries as Wertheimer & Frere and the Aga Khan–and so much of his success rests on his stallion Kendargent (Fr), the broodmare sire of Sisfahan.

Now 18, it is perhaps remarkable that Kendargent only notched a first Group 1 winner this season with Skalleti (Fr), who was also bred by Pariente, as was his Group 2-winning brother Skazino (Fr).

He had, however, already been represented with a top-flight winner as a broodmare sire when Sealiway (Fr) won last season's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. That result was doubly pleasing for Pariente as not only was the colt another Haras de Coleville graduate but he is by Kendargent's young stud-mate Galiway (GB).

In France this season, Pariente has already celebrated 38 wins from 65 starters bred at his Normandy farm, which has now also supplied the toast of Germany.

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Group 1 Action In France, Germany On Sunday

France and Germany share the limelight on Sunday, with the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and G1 Deutsches Derby over a mile and a half the twin focus. In the cast assembled for the former event, Gestut Schlenderhan's In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) takes prominence a year on from his victory in the latter. After his success in the Hamburg Classic, the Francis-Henri Graffard trainee proved himself on the international stage by finishing runner-up in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Returning to ParisLongchamp this term, he took the May 13 G3 Prix d'Hedouville before adding the June 6 G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly to his tally and will be a tough nut to crack.

Ireland hold a strong hand, with Ballydoyle's Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) worthy challengers to the home brigade. The former met his match in the filly Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in the June 19 G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot and continues to knock on the Group 1 door, while Baron Samedi gives the impression he is ready to burst it open at the first attempt. Unbeaten in his last seven starts, he denied the subsequent G1 Prix Ganay hero Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris in October, defied a subsequent penalty to win the 14-furlong G3 Vintage Crop S. at Navan Apr. 25 and followed up in the two-mile GII Belmont Gold Cup June 4.

“Baron Samedi has been an absolute star for us. He surprised everyone when progressing from basement-level handicaps into a group 2 winner last season and he has improved again this season,” Joseph O'Brien said. “We took a chance in sending him to America for the Belmont Gold Cup last time, but he rewarded us by running out the easy winner. This race is a totally different test altogether, as it is back at a mile-and-a-half against world-class opposition. It is a big ask of him, but we want to find out whether he belongs in this sort of company or is best kept in staying races.”

The Aga Khan's filly Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) has proven up to a tilt at this level this term when beating last year's Arc fifth Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in both the G3 Prix Allez France at ParisLongchamp May 2 and G2 Prix Corrida here May 26 and returns to a more suitable distance given last year's evidence. Successful in the G3 Prix de Royaumont at this 12-furlong trip at Chantilly last June, the homebred also captured Deauville's G2 Prix de Pomone over another half a furlong in August before finding the 14 furlongs of the G1 Prix de Royallieu possibly beyond her when third to the aforementioned Wonderful Tonight at ParisLongchamp in October.

In the Deutsches Derby, 20 colts line up in a bid to become the next In Swoop with Gestut Hony-Hof's Sea of Sands (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) looking to confirm the form of his head defeat of Rennstall Gestut Hachtsee's Lord Charming (Ger) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) in the G3 Derby-Trial at Hoppegarten May 23. They set the form standard, but there could be a lurker in the mold of last year's winner in Stall Nizza's Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). By the same sire as In Swoop, the chestnut has similarly raced solely in France so far and he looked well up to this standard when beating another Schlenderhan-Graffard project in the G2 Prix Greffulhe third Martial Eagle (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in a competitive conditions event over this trip at Saint-Cloud June 8.

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Champ Returns In Irish 1000 Guineas

Now that the abnormally dry Spring has given way to an ongoing wet spell, Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh looks poised for John Oxley's Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) to re-impose herself on a division she had largely mastered by the end of 2020. Labelled a 'TDN Rising Star' on her impressive debut at Bellewstown in July, she remained unbeaten on ground softer than good thereafter, adding this track's G2 Debutante S. and Newmarket's G1 Fillies' Mile to her tally. Second to Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when the going was markedly livelier in both the G3 Silver Flash S. at Leopardstown and the G1 Moyglare Stud S. again at this venue on her other two starts, the Joseph O'Brien-trained bay was probably fortunate to sidestep a fast-ground G1 1000 Guineas due to an unsatisfactory scope and lines up a fresh filly. “Pretty Gorgeous is obviously one of our most exciting prospects for the season,” her trainer commented. “She just wasn't quite right prior to the 1000 Guineas, so we played it safe with her and didn't run. Given how firm the ground was, missing it might have been a blessing in disguise. We know from last year that she handles soft ground well and we've been very happy with her in the last couple of weeks. She looks in great order now and will hopefully produce a big effort. Her juvenile form entitles her to be right in the mix, so hopefully she runs a big one.”

As ever, Ballydoyle will have something to say on the matter with Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) bidding to provide her dam You'resothrilling (Storm Cat) with a third English or Irish Guineas winner. Having captured the G3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial over a mile at Leopardstown last time May 9, the full-sister to Gleneagles (Ire) and Marvellous (Ire) is back on the soft-to-heavy surface on which she broke her maiden over seven furlongs here Mar. 21. “Like with most of ours this weekend, she'd much prefer better ground but we do at least know she's gone on it before, even though it was only a maiden,” Aidan O'Brien commented.

Successful in the seven-furlong G3 Athasi S. staged on testing ground here May 3, the O'Callaghans' No Speak Alexander (Ire) (Shalaa {Ire}) gets re-acquainted with Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) who she trailed when fourth in Deauville's G2 Prix du Calvados on very soft ground in August. The latter was third in the May 2 G1 1000 Guineas on ground that would have been a touch too fast and has done very little wrong throughout her career. No Speak Alexander's trainer Jessie Harrington said, “I'm not saying she will win, but she'll be in the shake-up.” Fev Rover's trainer Richard Fahey commented, “I've been preaching all winter that I want to get her on better ground and here we are running on heavy, but she has had experience of it so she'll handle it as well as most. I was keen to get her to The Curragh, because I just thought the track would suit her. We've been pleased with her since Newmarket–she's a pretty straightforward girl.”

Pulled out of Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Doreen Tabor's Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), who took the G2 Lowther S. on good-to-soft in August before encountering a quicker surface when runner-up in the G1 Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket and third in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, is a certain runner here. “It's the last Classic she can run in and she'll take her chance,” trainer Ken Condon said. “The 2-year-old career she put together means she deserves her chance in a Guineas. There are genuine concerns about the ground and, as a consequence, the trip is going to be in more focus. We've a good man riding her and she's drawn around fancied horses.”

Broome Looks For Clean Sweep

Also on the card is the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, where Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) flies the flag for Aidan O'Brien along with the G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the G1 Epsom Derby hero Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Broome has rattled up a treble while his two stable companions limbered up on the home gallops, taking the Listed Devoy S. at Naas Mar. 28 and Apr. 17 G3 Alleged S. and May 3 G2 Mooresbridge S. here and his ability to handle this type of ground is already proven. “Broome lost his way last year,” Aidan O'Brien said. “He has had three trials in Ireland and I have been very happy with him in all of them. We always thought a mile and a half would suit him this year and he has only been a mile and quarter yet, but I am very happy with him. He won on soft ground earlier in the spring there and he seems to be in good form. The other two are just ready to start back. Serpentine is working very well. Ten furlongs is probably not ideal for either of them really, but they have to start somewhere.”

Moyglare Stud's dual G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For a Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) drops back almost half a mile having been an encouraging second on her seasonal bow in Leopardstown's Listed Saval Beg Levmoss S. May 14. Third behind Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when getting going too late in the delayed edition of this in July, the homebred comes into this in a better place at present and the much slower surface will only serve to aid her cause.

In the G3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule S., Fiona Carmichael's G1 Epsom Derby entry Taipan (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) escapes from the clutches of the current blue riband favourite Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) having finished third and fifth to that rival in Leopardstown's G3 Ballysax S. Apr. 11 and May 9 G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial respectively. Up in trip and back on testing ground that looks to suit is The Aga Khan's Erzindjan (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), having been a staying-on second taking on his elders in Leopardstown's G3 Amethyst S. at a mile May 9.

Classic Appetizers In Germany

Hoppegarten stage the G3 Derby-Trial and G2 Diana Trial, with the latter the stage for Gestut Gorlsdorf's promising Mercedes (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) who impressed on debut over this 10-furlongs trip here May 9. Out of the 2016 winner of this race, Meergorl (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), she hails from the family of last year's G1 Preis der Diana heroine Miss Yoda (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). She meets Manfred Anton Schmelzer's G3 Preis der Winterkonigin heroine Noble Heidi (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), who goes up in trip after disappointing on her return when fifth in the G3 Karin Baronin von Ullmann Schwarzgold-Rennen at a mile at Cologne May 2. In the Derby-Trial over the same mile-and-a-quarter trip, Gestut Hony-Hof's G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten runner-up Sea of Sands (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) should be sharper for his comeback third in the G3 Bavarian Classic over this distance at Munich at the start of the month.

Derby Anchors Blockbuster Rome Card

The €633,600 G2 Derby Italiano headlines a six-stake card at Rome on Sunday, and with shippers from England, France and Germany taking on the locals, it is guaranteed to be an intriguing affair. Juan De Montalban (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Fabilis (GB) (Frankel {GB}), one-two in a 2000 metre Sandown handicap on Apr. 23, re-oppose with the former making his first start for owner Luigi Roveda and trainer Raffaele Biondi after being purchased privately from Mick and Janice Mariscotti from the yard of Andrew Balding. Juan De Montalban was making his seasonal debut at Sandown, having won by three lengths at third asking going a furlong shorter at Goodwood in October.

Fabilis, meanwhile, takes the prize on pedigree among this bunch, being a son of Frankel out of Mirabilis (Lear Fan), a Grade III-winning half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane victress Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat). Miribilis lines up in the Juddmonte colours for trainer Ralph Beckett, and he makes his third start of the year having run fourth in a one-mile Southwell handicap on Jan. 28. He was fourth in the G3 Zetland S. in October.

Teruya Yoshida's Tokyo Gold (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) is among the visitors from France, and the winner of last year's Listed Prix Haras de Bouquetot lines up off a second in the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault on the Polytrack on Mar. 9 and a fourth in the G3 Prix Noailles on Apr. 11. Isfahani (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}) is among the German raiders, and he has already successfully shipped to Italy, having won the G3 Premio Guido Berardelli last term for trainer Henk Grewe and Darius Racing.

Those trying to keep Derby glory at home include Roberto Saggini's Flag's Up (Ire), one of two sons of War Command in the lineup and the winner of the ten-furlong Listed Premio Emanuele Filiberto on May 2. Tiaspettofuori (Ity) (Mujahid), meanwhile, went a half-furlong further to take the Listed Premio Botticelli over this course on Apr. 25, and all four runners from that race re-oppose here.

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