Mystery Angel (Ire) | Horse Racing Free Tips

Deauville August Kicks Off In Style

Deauville's month-long festival begins on Tuesday, with the G1 Prix Rothschild the central focus of the opening fixture switched from its customary slot on the last Sunday in July.

As usual, the foreign presence is strong and foreboding, with Aidan O'Brien looking to continue his golden year in France with Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Successful in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 2, she has since run second to Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 16, third in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 18 and runner-up again in the G1 Falmouth S. on Newmarket's July course. The form of that July 9 contest could hardly have worked out better at Goodwood this week, with Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) making their presence felt in the G1 Sussex S. and the fourth-placed Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) scooping the G1 Nassau S.

Fifth in the Falmouth and finishing strongly to beaten just over a length in total, David Ward's Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. winner Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) tries again with trainer Ed Walker expecting her to be in the mix.

“I'm very hopeful,” he said. “She's only had three runs this year and the only time she had an uninterrupted passage she absolutely trotted up. She is massively exciting and she's in great form. We haven't had to do a lot with her since the Falmouth to keep her happy and well. This year, we seem to have found the hottest renewal of the Falmouth in history. We've got to turn the form round with Mother Earth, which I wouldn't bet against her doing. We're just hoping we have a smooth trip and if she does I think she'll be bang there.”

Of the home team, the Katsumi Yoshida-owned Coeursamba, who after her Pouliches victory has subsequently finished 11th trying the 10 1/2-furlong trip of the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 20, and Teruya Yoshida's acquisition Tahlie (Fr) (Rio de la Plata) appear to hold the strongest claims. Tahlie beat the Pouliches third Kennella (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) in the G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly June 6, but needs to improve significantly to put it up to the raiding party.

Germany are well-represented, with Gestut Brummerhof's Novemba (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Cayton Park Stud Ltd and Team Valor's Axana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). Novemba was the impressive winner of the May 30 G2 German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf before finishing a respectable fourth in the Coronation and is set to give jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev the ultimate thrill, while Axana faces the sternest test of her career having annexed Lingfield's G3 Chartwell Fillies' S. over seven furlongs May 8.

Colts Eye Group 3 Laurel

The card kicks off with two races for juveniles headed by the six-furlong G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg, where John and Jess Dance's Sam Maximus (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) could set off another spree for overseas challengers who perennially farm the black-type races at this meeting.

Setting the clear form standard on his latest third in the G2 July S. at Newmarket July 8, where the subsequent G2 Richmond S. winner Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) was a head in front in second, the Tom Dascombe-trained bay has a trio of domestically-trained unexposed colts to contend with. They are Gerard Augustin-Normand's impressive July 13 Prix des Yearlings winner Toimy Son (Fr) (Twilight Son {GB}) from the Yann Barberot stable, Hollymount Stud France's Sunday Best (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), who was a five-length winner also over this course and distance July 13, and the Andre Fabre-trained Trident (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Westerberg's bay beat a subsequent winner over 6 1/2 furlongs on a testing surface at ParisLongchamp June 24 and it is interesting that the master of Chantilly pitches him in here in the race he has won on seven occasions.

Hunt For Perfection

In the G3 Prix Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing, Fabre also has the exciting unbeaten Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who has been purchased by Ali Hamad Al Attiya after her dazzling success in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure over this seven-furlong trip and track July 11. George Boughey sends across Nick Bradley Racing's Galileo Gold (GB) duo Oscula (Ire) and Hellomydarlin (Ire), with the pair third and 12th respectively in the six-furlong G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot June 18. The former was fourth next time in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket July 9, while Hellomydarlin managed third in the G2 Prix Robert Papin also over six at Chantilly July 18.

“The ground was too quick for Oscula at Newmarket last time,” Boughey said. “It looks like there's a bit of ease out there this time, which should suit her. She was third in the Albany on heavy and then it was very soft ground on Oaks day when she won the Woodcote. She's rated 100, goes there in good shape, so I think she has a good chance. Jockey reports and everything I've seen have always suggested Hellomydarlin would get seven. She's a big, strong filly and goes there with a decent chance as well. They worked together the other day and they worked as well as each other. Obviously one will beat the other, but where they finish, I'm not sure.”

Another British raider is Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Daneh (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was impressive when beating a subsequent winner in a novice over this trip on her sole start on Kempton's Polytrack June 23. A daughter of the top-class Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), she is an unknown quantity in this line-up.

“She won very well at Kempton and we thought she deserved a chance in a stakes race,” Ed Crisford commented. “We were going to run her in a listed race at Sandown the other day, but it was very firm ground and she wouldn't want that. It still looks a very punchy affair out there, but she's in good form and I think she's come on again from her first run so we're expecting a good run from her.”

Also in the mix is Alain Jathiere and Guy Pariente's Pascal Bary-trained Lovamour (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), who took a 5 1/2-furlong Chantilly maiden June 20 which has received several boosts and in which the aforementioned Cabourg contender Sunday Best was third, and The Aga Khan's impressive July 15 Chantilly conditions winner Soumera (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}).

Angel Hoping to Earn Halo in Psyche

The 10-furlong G3 Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing features the June 4 G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) who is another Nick Bradley-Boughey project excelling above expectations.

“It seems everywhere she goes, the rain follows her. She's in very good form–she's been busy, but she takes her racing incredibly well,” her trainer said. “She's not bred to get a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half, but I think because she's so relaxed she's able to. We'll probably look to make plenty of use of her and get on the front. James Doyle will know that she stays a mile and a half well and be pretty positive on her.”

Among her seven opponents are Irish challenger The Blue Brilliant, who moves up in class in search of her hat-trick for Jessica Harrington.

Click here to view the group fields.

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Select Eclipse the Focus on Saturday

Tactical nuance will be the order of the day in Saturday's G1 Coral-Eclipse, with Sandown's prestige affair hosting a trio of male thoroughbreds who have been tested and proven internationally and just one other very much on the fringe. With the big three of Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) responsible for nine top-level victories between them in this country, France, Dubai and Australia, this renewal really does offer something different. All of them have a largely consistent profile with valid excuses for any rare dips in form and so the two imponderables that will dictate the outcome could be the way the race will be run on the day and whether the ever-contentious 10-pound weight-for-age differential in favour of Ballydoyle's 3-year-old is simply too much.

There is a sense that for all that St Mark's Basilica has now won three group 1 races in succession in the Dewhurst, Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club, he is still a work in progress whose ceiling has not been approached. The manner of his last two performances suggest he was going through the motions at ParisLongchamp May 16 and at Chantilly June 6, but he will be seriously tested here against two campaigners hardened by significant overseas challenges. In recent times, 3-year-olds with the equivalent level of form entering this “clash of the generations” have fared well, with the Kitten's Joy pair of Roaring Lion and Hawkbill and Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) bettering their elders. “We've been delighted with him this season, both his runs,” Aidan O'Brien said. “Everything went well before them and everything has gone well since. The ground is drying up and I'd imagine that the more it dries up the more it will suit him.”

Officially top-rated and three pounds clear of Mishriff, Addeybb has been places his opponents can only dream of at present with his increasing age apparently bringing increased potency. Having beaten Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the last two renewals of Randwick's G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and in Rosehill's G1 Ranvet S. last March, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's 7-year-old also took care of France's star Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) on the extremely testing ground that suits him so well in the G1 Champion S. in October. He showed in the latest renewal of the Ranvet that he is not so ground-dependant as many believe and his presence here evokes memories of the owner's dual winner Mtoto (GB) in the 80's.

Like Addeybb, Mishriff is another who was not an obvious leading light at the outset but who continues to confound with his performances. Well-beaten when eighth in the Champion, the record of Prince Faisal's homebred is otherwise flawless of late and his 2021 successes on Riyadh's dirt in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup and from a wide draw in the Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic mark him out as a rarity. The latter display confirmed his stamina for 12 furlongs, while he has an admirable attitude which is all there in the visuals of his running style so it will be a surprise if David Egan does not opt to attempt to dictate here. With his characteristic low head carriage, it is a case of how much he can draw the sting from his rivals who possess a greater turn of acceleration up Sandown's remorseless climb to the line.

This is a major moment in Egan's career and he is geared up for it. “I'm very excited to have a ride in a race like this and am looking forward to it,” he said on Friday. “To have the pace to follow two American horses over nine furlongs on the dirt and then be able to relax as well as he did over a mile and a half in Dubai a few weeks later is quite sensational and I can't think of another horse who could do that. He is very mature–he travelled to Riyadh for the Derby as a 3-year-old and then went to France twice, he was back out to Riyadh this year and back to England before Meydan so he enjoys the travelling. Looking at his coat and his physicality, he doesn't lose any condition and is always very fresh and well in himself. The team at home have done a very good job with him.”

At Haydock, the feature is the G2 Lancashire Oaks where Nick Bradley Racing's June 4 G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) faces Kirsten Rausing's 2020 G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and five other older fillies and mares. Trainer George Boughey said of the hard-grafting 3-year-old, “She's done very well since the Oaks and I don't think she's ever trained better. She's in super shape and her work has been good, so she's showing all the right signs. She gets a lot of weight and it's one of those things where it's quite hard to place against her own age, so you've got to take the older rivals on. There doesn't look to be a huge amount of pace in the race and it might just suit her–she's a big galloping filly who clearly stayed the mile and a half well in the Oaks in tricky ground and I think it looks the right spot for her.”

Back at Sandown, the G3 Coral Charge over five furlongs sees the June 15 G1 King's Stand S. runner-up Arecibo (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) attempt to build on that career-best performance against a clutch of tough sprinters and the fast-emerging 3-year-old Atalis Bay (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}). Successful in the course-and-distance Listed Scurry S. June 12, Scuderia Blueberry's bargain 800gns Tattersalls February purchase needs to improve to feature but trainer Marco Botti is hopeful he can. “It's a very good race and he needs to raise his game taking on the older horses. The ground I hope will dry out a little bit and he would not want it any softer than good,” he explained. “We are happy with him, but these are proper older horses he is taking on. It is a good draw he has in four and he has done nothing wrong this year and he has definitely improved. He has got 10 pounds to find with Arecibo, but he is relatively fresh and others have been to Royal Ascot so, hopefully, that can play into his hands.”

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Friday’s Cazoo Oaks Attracts 14

The 1 1/2-mile £395,000 G1 Cazoo Oaks has drawn a field of 14, including ante-post favourite and 'TDN Rising Star' Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien who will leave from stall four.

Joining the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas fourth from Ballydoyle is G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. heroine Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G3 Kilcarn Stud Flame Of Tara Irish EBF S. victress Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the Group 3 placed Willow (Ire) (American Pharoah), and La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), runner-up in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2 for the Sangster family, James Wigan and trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, drew post seven. One to her inside is Mark Johnston's Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the winner of the Listed Cheshire Oaks on May 5 for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Shadwell's listed winner Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) is one of three for trainer Roger Varian, the others are Musidora third Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the colours of Ali Saeed and the Gredley Family's Save A Forest (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), second to the Archie Watson-trained and Apple Tree Stud-owned Sherbet Lemon (Lemon Drop Kid) in the Listed Novibet Oaks Trial Fillies' S. Third to Sherbet Lemon that day was Qatar Racing's Ocean Road (Ire) (Australia {GB}) who will leave from stall five for Hugo Palmer with Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy in the irons.

Rounding out the field are Mantonbury Stud's Technique (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) from the Martyn Meade yard and supplementary entry Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) for Nick Bradley Racing 27 and Partner. The Ben Curtis trainee won the Listed Betfair Pretty Polly S. and was fourth in the Musidora to Snowfall.

Nick Bradley said of his £22,500 supplementary entry, “It looks a stronger race than we'd have liked, but we are where we are. The track will suit and she appears to be in very good form–she's in better form at home than she was going to York.

“She looks overpriced a little bit at the moment, I think. We're hopeful of a good run.”

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Epsom Hosts Classic Hopefuls

Several Classic candidates for the upcoming G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 Cazoo Oaks on June 5 and June 4, respectively, took spins around Epsom Downs Racecourse on Monday morning. Derby colts One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby and Ed Dunlop's listed winner and 'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were first-time visitors to the fabled course.

The former, who won the G3 Emirates Autumn S. last October next ran second in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. to Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Aus}). He was sixth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 1.

“I was very pleased with what I saw there,” said Appleby, who won the 2018 Derby with Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), of the colt's gallop. “He is a naturally balanced horse but he hasn't encountered anything like that before.

“The first couple or three furlongs he was taking James [Doyle] on a bit. We already had it in our mindset that we were going to come straight from the Guineas to the Derby. We felt that bringing him would ensure we wouldn't be going into The Derby too fresh–that was the main objective of the exercise and I was delighted with what I saw there.

“He is a horse that has form on soft ground so these conditions weren't going to worry us. He has moved well on the track and picked up well up the straight there. Visually, I don't think you could be any happier with what we saw really. If the race was 10 furlongs you would be delighted. It is going to be a big question mark the mile and a half, there is no doubt about it.”

Appleby also revealed that Doyle would be aboard the colt in the Derby, with G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) the choice of William Buick.

“William [Buick] had the choice of them and we spoke about it,” Appleby added. “Without putting too much pressure on William I said it would be helpful from the team's point of view to make a call as it gives James the chance to ride him here if he is going to be riding him in the Derby. William said it is not very often that you get the chance to ride a Dante winner in the Derby so his mind was firmly set on staying with Hurricane Lane and therefore James is first man to be jumping up on One Ruler.

“I'm delighted with Hurricane Lane. As you saw at York he is one of those characters that is very laid back. He just goes about his business but he has come out of the race very well and I'm looking forward to getting him here.”

Dunlop Pleased With John Leeper
Anamoine Limited homebred John Leeper ran fourth in his Doncaster debut last September, but resurfaced with a smart novice win at Newcastle on Apr. 30. The son of G1 Oaks heroine Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) made it two on the bounce with a 1 3/4-length win in the Listed Betway Fairway S. at Newmarket on May 15 and is named for trainer Ed Dunlop's late father John. The colt will be ridden by Adam Kirby in the Blue Riband.

Ed Dunlop said, “We were never going to do too much whether the ground was nice or not as he only the weekend before last. This was about bringing him to get a bit more experience with Adam [Kirby] on him. The ground was very soft, almost heavy but he looked to enjoy himself.

“He is an inexperienced horse but what I was pleased to see today was that he has been very relaxed doing the whole thing. He is not a baby but everything was new to him today. I was thrilled with the way he behaved and he wasn't keen going down the hill which was good as they were only going slowly.

“We will just keep him fit, healthy and sound leading up to the race and the rest will be up to the Gods. The trip should be up his street as his mum won the Oaks, although she was better as time went on at a mile and a quarter, but I'd be surprised if there was any problem with the trip.

“It is probably one of the more interesting stories of the race. Having a horse named after my father is very exciting, and it creates a little bit of pressure for everyone but at the moment the horse has no idea there is any pressure on him so hopefully we can enjoy it. Of course it is quite emotional as well and it would be a great day if he could go on and win the Derby.”

Kirby Also Aboard Saffron Beach in the Cazoo Oaks
Leading G1 Cazoo Oaks contender Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was also in the capable hands of Adam Kirby for her gallop and will be ridden by him in the Oaks proper. Racing in the colours of Lucy Sangster, James Wigan and Ollie Sangster, the Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee won her first two starts, including the G3 Oh So Sharp S. in October and then was second in her seasonal bow in the G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. on Apr. 14. She closed to take second in the May 2 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2.

“She was nice and relaxed,” said Jane Chapple-Hyam. “She was on the right lead and you would have to be happy with that. She gets her neck down low and stretches out and I was pleased to see that. It was very important she was on the correct lead leg as when they turn into the straight there is a camber and it takes them down to the far rail and you have to be aware of that.

“I think she will get the trip, as does Adam [Kirby]. Her exercise rider thinks she will get it and her owners thinks she will get it. We are all in the same boat. Her breeding suggests she has to do to get the trip but all animals are different and she is strong and powerful and relaxed and well balanced. We are just here to give it a go.

“The race and the other horses won't bother her–it will be the crowds as she has never seen a crowd. We will put the hood on her. She has practised with the hood at home but I didn't put it on her today as I wanted her to suck in all the atmosphere of what we have got today as you have got the odd dog walker and jogger. I think she has taken it well.”

Added Kirby said, “We went a mile and she seemed to handle the track. We went a sensible pace without doing too much. When we turned in, she got into gear and lengthened all the way to the line. She feels quite well balanced. The ground was very soft but she seemed to handle it. I think she is best on a small bit of ease on good ground but saying that she has done nothing wrong there today.

Australia's Ocean Road in Action at Epsom
Qatar Racing's stakes-placed Ocean Road (Ire) (Australia {GB}) also stepped out on Monday. Trained by Hugo Palmer, the bay ran second at Nottingham when unveiled on Oct. 14, graduated in a Lingfield novice on Dec. 2 and was a close third in the Listed Novibet Oaks Trial Fillies' S. there on May 8.

Trainer Hugo Palmer said, “She has handled the hill well here. She just took a little look at the road crossing and Oisin [Murphy] just had to give her a squeeze into Tattenham Corner but she has run to the line and every yard she has gone the better she has gone which is great.

“It is very soft ground here today and I think she would be better on better ground but she has relished that. She seems to me to be doing what 3-year-old fillies can do at this time of year which is improve very rapidly. She needs to find 20lbs on what she did at Lingfield to win an average Oaks but sometimes that is the sort of thing can happen and that is what we are dreaming might happen.”

“She has got a lot to learn but I hope that she has learned and I hope that she has improved,” Palmer added of the half-sister to two-time GI Northern Dancer Turf S. hero Wigmore Hall (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). “Her work last week was very pleasing and I was pleased with what I saw there.”

Mystery Angel an Oaks Possible
Nick Bradley Racing 27 & Partner's listed winner Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) is not currently entered in the G1 Cazoo Oaks and would have to be supplemented on May 29. However, the bay filly took a turn around Epsom on Monday morning and her effort was given a stamp of approval from trainer George Boughey.

“She is a very well balanced filly,” said Boughey. “I didn't really ask Ben [Curtis] to do a huge amount. It was more just to come and see the track and see how she came down the hill. She is a specialist at Newmarket where you have to handle going up and down. I'd hope she would handle it [Epsom Downs].

“I think the main thing we will be looking at is the opposition and see how many go there,” added Boughey of his charge, who already has 11 starts under her belt including a group placing and was fourth in the G3 Tattersalls Musidor S. at York on May 12. “The question mark is whether she gets the mile and a half. I think if the ground is like it is today we wouldn't be running, but the forecast looks good and if it comes quicker her best performance was on quick ground and in an open year we would probably like to give it a go. It is certainly not decision made yet.

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