Yesterday can gain compensation
This is a wide open contest and far too many of the 11-strong field can be given a live chance for comfort.
It has to be accepted, however, that Yesterday was a desperately unlucky loser of the Epsom equivalent, going down by a neck to Casual Look, after a nightmare journey in the straight.
Previously, the daughter of Sadler’s Wells produced a game display to beat Six Perfections and Dimitrova in what looked a high class Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh.
The ground was officially on the yielding side at headquarters 24 hours ago and if it was to remain like that then it would be very much in favour of the selection.
The possibility of it being on the fast side by tomorrow, though, can hardly be ruled out and that would further complicate an already puzzling classic.
Casual Look may have had the run of the race at Epsom, but does stay really well and is clearly capable of another big run.
Spanish Sun, successful in a maiden at Kempton as a two-year-old, held on for dear life to beat Ocean Silk a head in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Both horses have to be on the short-list, although the fact Ocean Silk is now fitted with blinkers is hardly encouraging.
Hanami, Snippets and Vintage Tipple are other less obvious possibilities, but, perhaps, the cards will fall kindly for Yesterday on this occasion!
It might develop into a decent afternoon for Yesterday’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien, and his well-regarded One Cool Cat can take the Group Three Anglesey Stakes.
He justified some major wagers when scoring easily at York last month and the second and third have won in the meantime.
Ballydoyle is set to take the wraps off Rock Of Cashel, Rock Of Gibraltar’s full-brother, in the Jumeirah International Maiden and he has to get the vote.
Zimbabwe, who battled on gamely to land a Curragh handicap last time, will take plenty pegging back in the Thalgo Ladies Derby.
The Group Two Goffs’ International Stakes at the Curragh today may have
only attracted five runners, but has the makings a cracking and informative contest.
This will tell us just how good John Oxx’s Sea Dart really is. He certainly looked a star of the future when winning in a canter at Limerick and it will be no surprise if he treats far more talented rivals in a similar manner.
Preference, however, is for Michael Stoute’s Mustaneer, whose form has a more solid look about it. He was in hot company when two and a half lengths and half a length third behind Trade Fair, successful again since, and subsequent Royal Ascot Jersey Stakes hero, Membership, at Newmarket at the end of May.
Lightly-raced Former Senator gets the nap to land the Newbridge Hire Maiden over a mile and a quarter.
He proved a costly failure when beaten a head by Cruzspiel at Leopardstown back in April, but may be a different proposition now that he has been given plenty time to mature by Dermot Weld.
