Neil Morrice shares his tips for Day 2 of the Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh, as well as fancies across Haydock, Bath, Musselburgh and Chelsmford on 12/09/2021.
The Curragh – 12/09/2021
Race 2 – Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blandford Stakes (Group 2): LOVE
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
LOVE can take this class drop in her stride to set herself up for some better Pattern prizes through the autumn.
Last year’s Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks heroine looked as good as ever when returning to land the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot before defeats in the King George and Juddmonte International Stakes. Under a 3lb penalty she should readily outclass her foes.
Race 3 – Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1): DRAGON SYMBOL (Each Way)
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Winter Power displayed breathtaking speed to take out the Nunthorpe at York with DRAGON SYMBOL a length and threequarters back in third. The latter has played a similar supporting role in each of his starts in Group races including the Commonwealth Cup and July Cup. He has a very high cruising speed that can be used to maximum effect in this large field, and if getting the breaks at the business end has a good chance of toppling the favourite.
Race 4 – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1): PRETTIEST (Each Way)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
PRETTIEST might not have lived up to early expectations, but the Dubawi filly now finds herself in what looks an open Group 1. Her fourth to Sandrine in the Albany Stakes back in June reads well, and while having work to to with hat-trick seeker Agartha she might be worth another chance to be competitive at elevated odds.
Race 5 – Goff’s Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group 1): POINT LONSDALE (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
All eyes will be on POINT LONSDALE to land the odds in this 2,000 Guineas trial and complete an impressive nap hand of victories.
Winner of the Group 2 Futurity Stakes here when admittedly galloping past trees, he looked the part when going in as one of the heaviest backed horses at Royal Ascot in the Chesham Stakes, and while that form was devalued by Reach For The Moon at Doncaster, nothing but a convincing triumph will do, with a trip to Longchamp on Arc day one option open to connections afterwards.
Race 6 – IRISH ST LEGER (Group 1): TWILIGHT PAYMENT
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
A field of 14 contest this final Irish Classic in which as many as half-a-dozen have a definite chance.
Sonnyboyliston steps back into Pattern company after landing the Ebor with claims that were boosted by Quickthorn at Salisbury on Friday.
Along with Search For A Song he has a solid profile, but such is the strength of Melbourne Cup winner TWILIGHT PAYMENT’s record at this course that the Teofilo gelding gets the vote. He put paid to a good yardstick in Princess Zoe in the Leger Trial here last month, and is ready to step up to the plate.
HAYDOCK PARK – 12/09/2021
Race 2: PRINCE OF ABINGTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: David Egan
After earning in all but one of his outings this year, PRINCE OF ABINGTON is deserving of a breakthrough win and should be competitive. He ran one of his best races at this track in July, and in three subsequent runs with cheek pieces added has also troubled the judge.
Race 3: MOTHER SHIPTON (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Showcasing filly MOTHER SHIPTON hails from a stable doing well with its juveniles and especially these owners. She is the subject of favourable reports and is fancied to make a winning debut.
BATH – 12/09/2021
Race 1: BLUEBELL WAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
BLUEBELL WAY beat only one home at Ffos Las when a 25-1 roughie, yet finished just over five lengths off the winner. It was her third start after moving into handicap company and bearing in mind she’s again carded to go off a big double-figure price a small each way investment can bear fruit.
Race 6: FOUR FEET (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Josephine Gordon
Having hit the woodwork on his last two attempts, FOUR FEET is a horse ready to win. He’s been ridden by Gordon on each occasion, and with that jockey retained for this switch to turf, the combination can go one better.
MUSSELBURGH – 12/09/2021
Race 4: CITY WALK (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed Bon Suroor – Jockey: Roman Scott
CITY WALK is the most interesting runner on this card, granted his trainer rarely sends horses to Scotland. The Brazen Beau gelding makes a belated seasonal debut with more potential than market rival Digital, who was only narrowly denied in a competitive race at York last month.
Race 6: IOLANI
Trainer: Dianne Sayer – Jockey: James Sullivan
Dual purpose horse IOLANI was a winner when last seen on the Flat at Carlisle last month. This hurdles scorer here in March can bounce back from an underwhelming latest offering over jumps.
CHELMSFORD – 12/09/2021
Race 5: MOONLIT CLOUD (Each Way)
Trainer: Ken Ivory – Jockey: Joey Haynes
MOONLIT CLOUD has shown traces of form ahead of this handicap debut and may well appreciate cutting back on the distance ladder. She wasn’t beaten far by Sienna Breeze at Nottingham when wanted in the market, and on a line through that reliable yardstick has a solid each way chance.
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