Hanabad worth the wait
The son of Cadeaux Genereux, a useful juvenile, has been lightly raced this season but now looks poised to strike. He certainly indicated his turn was imminent with a cracking effort against the potentially high class Mingun at the Curragh last time.
Ultimately, the selection was no match for his rival in the closing stages, but ran a brave race, before going down by two and a half lengths. This appears decidely easier!
Mingun crops up in the Meld Stakes, which looks as good a Group Three as has ever been run in this country.
The very exciting John Gosden trained Ikhtyar is sure to go off a warm favourite and will take plenty of beating. This progressive sort produced a fine performance at Sandown earlier in the month to spreadeagle his rivals and score by six lengths.
It is probably churlish to attempt to find fault with that display but it is, nevertheless, worth pointing out that runner-up, Royal Stamp, ran no sort of race in the Scottish Derby at Ayr on Monday.
The talented and consistent Carnival Dancer and Royal Ascot winner, In Time’s Eye, are entitled to respect but the rapidly improving Mingun could be the value wager!
The Tyros Stakes is another puzzle and a hopeful vote here falls on the maiden, Groom Raider.
He is well-regarded by Michael Grassick, showing lots of promise first time up at the Curragh when two lengths second to another smart newcomer, Kevin Prendergast’s Mustameet.
Neither of Aidan O’Brien’s runners can be discounted, but Privy Seal, a remote third, but running on strongly at the end, behind Three Valleys in the six furlongs Coventry Stakes at Ascot, may be the biggest worry.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms’ Auction Maiden is best left to Jim Bolger’s Brand New Beat.
This is a weak event and the daughter of Imperial Ballet performed solidly when a length and a half second to Dance On The Moon at Roscommon.
Buffalo Bill, representing the in-form David Wachman yard in the Saltees Maiden Hurdle, can prove the best bet of the evening at Wexford.
A well beaten fifth to Colca Canyon at Navan, he should be all the better for that much needed outing and for his first experience over flights.
