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Hurricane Poised For Grand Prix

Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was the subject of an upbeat bulletin from Charlie Appleby as he prepares for Wednesday's G1 Grand Prix de Paris which drew a final field of 11. Supplemented for Paris Longchamp's 12-furlong contest having taken the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh June 26, he was drawn in seven with two of the Ballydoyle trio Sir Lamorak (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in five and six respectively.

“Hurricane Lane heads to Paris in good order,” his trainer said on Monday. “We expected him to need some time after what looked a hard race in the Irish Derby, but he surprised us with how well he came out of it. He worked nicely over the weekend and we opted to take this route as there is plenty of time between now and the St Leger. This looks a good opportunity to hopefully win another Group 1 over a mile and a half and he looks the one to beat.”

Favourably drawn in one is The Aga Khan's G1 Prix du Jockey Club fourth Saiydabad (Blame), who was an eye-catcher from stall 11 in that 10 1/2-furlong Chantilly Classic June 6. Also representing Jean-Claude Rouget is White Birch Farm's Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}), who fared even worse with the post position there and also made up late ground to be fifth. Drawn four this time, the son of the 2013 Grand Prix de Paris hero returns to the scene of his success in the 10 1/2-furlong G3 Prix Noailles Apr. 11.

“Saiydabad had a good run in the Jockey Club, even if he does always take a little while to get going,” Rouget said. “It all opened up for him on the rail and he finished out the race very strongly.

“With Cheshire Academy, the draw went against him. We should not forget that he had a little niggle for a couple of days in the weeks leading up to the race and missed a gallop. With all those factors included, his fifth-place finish was very good. I think that both horses are indifferent in terms of ground conditions, they will both be suited by the step up in trip.

“Who is the best out of the two? We will find out on Wednesday! All I can say is that they both have had a good preparation leading into the race and I think they have very good chances.”

There was no positive news for William Haggas, with M M Stables' Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Classic Trial and June 18 G2 King Edward VII S. winner Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) drawn widest of all in 11.

Stormy conditions continue, but the manager of France Galop's racecourses and training centres Matthieu Vincent is hoping the track will be spot-on for the evening's fixture.

“In an ideal situation, we would be hoping for a reading of 3.2 or 3.3,” he said. “At midday on Friday, the track at ParisLongchamp was gauged to be at 3.4, having been watered and worked following racing on Thursday.”

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UK Government Confirms Lockdown Restrictions to Lift in England

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that lockdown restrictions will ease on July 19, paving the way for racecourses in England to receive their full complement of spectators. The UK Government will no longer require social distancing and wearing face coverings, but the public is still advised to utilise them in crowded spaces. Some COVID-19 safety protocols will remain in place at racecourses, with Ascot slated to host the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. on July 24.

The Prime Minister said in a Downing Street press conference on Monday, “It is absolutely vital that we proceed with caution…the pandemic is not over,” but confirmed that the so-called “freedom day” would see the end of most restrictions.

“We think now is the right moment to proceed when we have the natural firebreak of the school holidays in the next few days,” the Prime Minister added.

Racecourse Chief Executive David Armstrong said, “It is fantastic news that racecourses in England will be able to welcome racegoers without restriction from Monday, July 19. The RCA is working closely with the racecourses in England to prepare for full capacities and we will continue to communicate with our industry partners and the devolved governments for an update from Wales and Scotland.

“It has been a difficult time for the racing industry and we estimate that the pandemic has cost racecourses £400m. However, with some of the sport's most iconic marquee events just around the corner, including the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival and Cazoo St Leger Festival, it looks set to be a brilliant summer of racing.”

“The RCA, alongside Great British Racing, is working to attract racegoers back on course, reminding everyone that racing is a great day out for all. It is also important to remember that racecourses are safe venues to visit. As well as having vast amounts of outdoor space the racecourses, in line with government messaging, will encourage spectators to remain vigilant and use their own judgement while on course to keep everybody comfortable and safe.

“In order to protect racing's key participants and minimise the risk of self-isolation, it may be necessary for a small number of restrictions to remain in place, but these will be removed as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.”

The British Horseracing Authority said in a statement, “It is very pleasing to hear that the planned easing of restrictions which were announced last week have today been confirmed.

“The return of spectators to race meetings in greater numbers in England represents a significant and much needed step along the sport's plans for recovery from the impacts of Covid-19. We await further announcements from the Scottish and Welsh Governments on their Covid regulations later this week.

“The industry is working together to finalise the infection control measures that will be in place to protect the sport's participants, particularly those working mainly in and around the Weighing Room Complex, which remains a higher-risk area.

“Full details of these plans will be published in the coming days.”

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First Winner For Ulysses At Killarney

Cheveley Park Stud's Ulysses (Ire) (by Galileo {Ire}) was the latest first-season sire to be represented by a first winner on Monday as Flaxman Stables Ireland's Piz Badile (Ire) took Killarney's opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over a mile. The first foal out of the Listed Prix Zarkava winner and G2 Prix Corrida runner-up That Which Is Not (Elusive Quality), the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt tracked the early pace in second and travelled easily to the fore passing three out along with The Aga Khan's Karakoul (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}). Headed by that rival two out, the 3-1 second favourite regained the advantage close home to prevail by a neck under Gavin Ryan. “We always thought he was one of our best ones, he's a beautiful big horse and did well to win as he was green and raw and was against a few rivals with experience,” the winning trainer said. “Hopefully he is a smart horse for the future. He is massive and wouldn't have run this year, only he was working that well. Whatever he does this year is going to be a bonus and will be a real horse next year. It's an all-10-furlong type of pedigree–Ulysses won the Juddmonte and the mare was ten furlongs. That's what he'll probably end up getting. He is the only Ulysses horse I have and I think he is smart anyway.” Remarkably, That Which Is Not who also has a yearling colt by Shamardal and a 2021 filly by Kingman (GB), was the only black-type performer out of the operation's high-class mare Shiva (Jpn) (Hector Protector), who took the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, G3 Brigadier Gerard S. and G3 Earl of Sefton S. and was placed in the G1 Champion S. and G1 Eclipse S. Shiva is also the second dam of Threat (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who captured the G2 Gimcrack S. and G2 Champagne S., the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial runner-up Radiantly (GB) (Aussie Rules) and the G2 Coventry S. third Eltezam (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Her half-sister Light Shift (Kingmambo), who was the heroine of the G1 Epsom Oaks, is the dam of Ulysses himself whose winning exploits included the G1 Juddmonte International and G1 Eclipse.

1st-Killarney, €14,000, Mdn, 7-12, 2yo, 8f 20yT, 1:47.39, yl.
PIZ BADILE (IRE) (c, 2, Ulysses {Ire}–That Which Is Not {SW & GSP-Fr, $116,533}, by Elusive Quality) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $9,974.
O/B-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien.

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Oxted to Be Examined After July Cup Third

Two-time Group 1 winner and Saturday's G1 Darley July Cup third Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}) will undergo a thorough examination by a veterinarian prior to racing again, according to trainer Roger Teal. Last year's July Cup hero, who also bagged the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot on June 15, veered right across the course during the running of the Newmarket sprint on Saturday.

“He seems absolutely fine, but we're going to have him checked out because we don't know why he hung across the track,” said Teal. “We'll have the vet look at him and see if there's anything untoward. He's never hung across the track like that before, so we'll monitor him over the next few days and see if anything comes to light.”

The Sept. 4 G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock is a possible next port of call for the two-time Group 1 winner, all being well after the veterinary exams.

“We're sort of running out of options now, so the Sprint Cup at Haydock would be his next target if all is well,” added Teal.

Another July Cup also-ran, the dual group winner Rohaan (Ire) (Mayson {GB}), could take his chances in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. The 3-year-old gelding ran 10th in the July Cup after a trio of wins including the Wokingham S. at the Royal meeting.

“He could go for the Maurice de Gheest,” said trainer David Evans. “There might not be so many runners and not as good a field as in the July Cup. That was probably the best sprint race of the season.”

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