Fantastic racing from Ireland & France today, with a couple of Group 1 races for the 4yo’s & the Irish 1000 Guineas for the 3yo’s.
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Jamie & Rich are he to give you their thoughts on the day ahead –
Jamie –
Longchamp –
3:15 – Prix Du Palais Royal (G3)
Selection: Yosemite ValleyÂ
This looks a good opportunity for Yosemite Valley to open his account at group level. Donnacha O’Brien’s 4yo, a son of Shamardal is on an upward curve of improvement as shown by both his races this season so far. It was a pleasing return to the racecourse for Yosemite Valley as he stayed on well to finish second in the Listed Cork Stakes over 6F on his preferred testing ground. He encountered that ground again in a Listed heat at the Curragh where he seen off the smart Jumbly by a couple of lengths. It was a career best performance to date and there is seemingly more to come. He is proven on very soft / heavy ground and this 7F trip is his optimum, so there aren’t any excuses today. I think the recently gelded Zoom representing the Fabre / Guyon combination is the main danger. 3RD
The Curragh –
3:45 – Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (G1)
Selection: Vespertilio
It’s the turn of the Fillies to shine today and I like the look of this Irish 1000 Guineas on paper at least. I’m looking forward to seeing Opera Singer making her belated seasonal bow and there’s no doubt in my mind that she is the best horse in the race. However, Aidan O’Brien’s string aren’t firing on all cylinders and seem to be needing their first runs to get up to speed. That is why I fancy Vespertilio to strike a big win for the Willie Mcreery yard. This is a consistent Filly having never finished out on the placing on all five starts to date. She ran a cracker when a staying on third in the French 1000 a fortnight ago and this more stamina demanding course will be right up her street. Her connections will be doing a rain dance as her best form is on easy ground. A Lilac Rolla is unbeaten and beat Opera Singer as a 2yo, she looks a nice bit of each way value in my eyes.
Rich –
Longchamp (Soft) –
2.40 Prix d’Ispahan – Group 1 – 4yo Only – 1m 1f 43yds…
Marhaba Ya Sanafi was the 2023 French Guineas winner (Poulains) & has finished 2nd on both starts this season to Tribalist, both in Group 2 company, could run a big race, while Blue Rose Cen, has changed trainers (Like Big Rock) & makes her seasonal return. The filly was last seen finishing a neck winner of the Prix l’Opera from Oh Jackie at this course in October.
My Preference is for another filly, MQSE DE SEVIGNE, who landed the 1m Prix Rothschild in July & followed up in the 1m 2f Prix Jean Romanet in August, both at Deauville, she finished 2nd to Inspiral in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket in October. Returned in April to win the Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte from Skalleti by 1/2 a length.
Haya Zark could be a danger having won the Group 1 Prix Ganay at this course in April… WINNER 9/4 SP
Curragh (good to firm, good in places) –
3.10 Tattersalls Gold Cup – Group 1 – 4yo only – 1m 2f 110yds…
White Birch – Ullysses X Diagnostic 4yo colt.
Spent last season running over 1m 4f, finishing 4th in the Derby at Epsom & 8th in the Irish Derby to Auguste Rodin, in June & July. He has been dropped to 1m 2f this season & returned in April to land the Group 2 Alleged Stakes over C&D before taking another C&D win in the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes on May 6th, with his form over 1m 2f reads 1/2/1/1. WINNER 15/8 SP
The biggest threat to the selection is Auguste Rodin, who is a double Derby winner, winner of the Irish Champion Stakes & the Breeders Cup Turf winner making his first start of 2024, who has also won over this distance.
It is also possible to see Elegant Man, who has done all his running on the All Weather in the UK & won a Class 2 Handicap over 1m 2f at Newcastle in March, could come into the picture…
We will see you very soon for the Oaks & Derby from Epsom… All the best – AOLR Team
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