Straight forward task for highly promising Yeats
It is certain both horses will start odds-on and defeat for either will surely leave their respective classic pretensions in tatters.
Yeats faces a straightforward task in the P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes, to quicken past past a race-fit Dabiroun in the closing stages.
The son of Sadler’s Wells created a big impression when taking a maiden at the Curragh back in September, cruising to a four lengths defeat of subsequent winner, Haratila.
The form is relatively moderate, but Yeats is very highly regarded at Ballydoyle and has to prove capable of coping with Dabiroun if Epsom is to prove a realistic goal.
Dabiroun won his maiden in fine style at the Curragh and followed with a gutsy display when half a length runner-up to Newton in a Listed race, back at the Curragh. He should give Yeats a decent test!
Dermot Weld agonised this week as to whether Grey Swallow should have a prep-run for Newmarket and has come down in favour of doing just that, so the son of Daylami contests the 2000 Guineas Trial.
He produced two smashing performances last season, landing a maiden at Galway by ten lengths and then trouncing Newton by eight lengths on this track.
Sett to face some useful rivals, it will be most disappointing should he fail to come through with flying colours.
John Oxx’s once-raced Hamairi gets the nap in the Foxrock Maiden. He performed with plenty of promise when fourth to Book Of Kings at the Curragh and wasn’t knocked about when his chance was gone.
Aidan O’Brien’s Royel Tigress, yet to be seen at her best one suspects, is the choice in the 1000 Guineas Trial. She hinted at far better to come, particularly on a sound surface, when third to Alexander Goldrun on heavy ground at the Curragh last month.
At Listowel today, John Oxx and Michael Kinane could team-up for a double in the opening two races with Cold Cold Woman and Maralan.
Cold Cold Woman, sure to step up on her sixth to Book Of Kings at the Curragh, gets the nod in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
Maralan, blinkered following his fourth to Gilberto at Leopardstown, has a favourabe draw in the Kerry Median Auction Maiden and is napped.
If ever a horse deserved a turn it is Coolnahilla, who is fancied to end a run of four seconds in the Feale Handicap Chase.
He ran his heart out at Cork a week ago, only to be collared in the dying strides and beaten a neck by Come In Moscow.
