The first Classic of the season, and deserving a thread of its own.
An open looking race, which promises to be more about quantity than quality.
My viewof the market principals;
Ten Sovereigns
Unbeaten in 3 races including the gp1 Middle Park , but all at 6f. Given a field of 17 over 2f further, Coolmore look unlikely to be able to boss the pace and unlikely to stay the trip in the circumstances.
Magna Grecia
Just prevailed in the 1m gp1 Futurity, which is often a race for horse needing further, and his previous 2nd in the Autumn Stakes indicates that might well be the case. Not out this, nevertheless, and not hard to see him performing the better of the AOB pair.
Madhmoon
Easy winner of the 1m gp2 Juvenile Stakes, on fastground at Leopardstown, a promising enough run to indicate the world could be his oyster. Just beaten in the Guineas trial at the same track on his seasonal re-introduction, but the manner he was ridden, over unsuitable ground and distance, shouts out that run was no more than a looksee.
Skardu
Unbeaten in 2 runs, including the gp3 Craven over this c/d, but probably fortunate to prevail, and could prove to be anything.
Advertise
Sprint bred; Won 6f gp1 Phoenix and subsequently 2nd in the Dewhurst, but unlikely to last home here, and his price probably owes more to the jockey booking than it does to his actual form.
Royal Marine
Won 1m gp1 Lagardere at Longchamp and, though he got no sort of a run in the Craven and ought to reverse that form with Skardu, has yet to prove he's really up to this level.
Summary: Madhmoon the likeliest winner, though he has a tricky draw, out on the flank.
An open looking race, which promises to be more about quantity than quality.
My viewof the market principals;
Ten Sovereigns
Unbeaten in 3 races including the gp1 Middle Park , but all at 6f. Given a field of 17 over 2f further, Coolmore look unlikely to be able to boss the pace and unlikely to stay the trip in the circumstances.
Magna Grecia
Just prevailed in the 1m gp1 Futurity, which is often a race for horse needing further, and his previous 2nd in the Autumn Stakes indicates that might well be the case. Not out this, nevertheless, and not hard to see him performing the better of the AOB pair.
Madhmoon
Easy winner of the 1m gp2 Juvenile Stakes, on fastground at Leopardstown, a promising enough run to indicate the world could be his oyster. Just beaten in the Guineas trial at the same track on his seasonal re-introduction, but the manner he was ridden, over unsuitable ground and distance, shouts out that run was no more than a looksee.
Skardu
Unbeaten in 2 runs, including the gp3 Craven over this c/d, but probably fortunate to prevail, and could prove to be anything.
Advertise
Sprint bred; Won 6f gp1 Phoenix and subsequently 2nd in the Dewhurst, but unlikely to last home here, and his price probably owes more to the jockey booking than it does to his actual form.
Royal Marine
Won 1m gp1 Lagardere at Longchamp and, though he got no sort of a run in the Craven and ought to reverse that form with Skardu, has yet to prove he's really up to this level.
Summary: Madhmoon the likeliest winner, though he has a tricky draw, out on the flank.
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