No reason to oppose North Light
Michael Stoute’s imposing son of Danehill is improving rapidly and confidently expected to confirm Epsom Derby running with both Rule Of Law and Let The Lion Roar.
North Light travels well through his races and likes to take a position near the front. He is capable of maintaining a relentless gallop from start to finish and all the evidence is he will relish this stiff 12 furlongs.
The selection allowed Meath make much of the running at Epsom, until Kieren Fallon decided it was time to make his move early in the straight. North Light soon strode clear to beat Rule Of Law a length and a half with Let The Lion Roar a further head away in third and Percussionist another head adrift in fourth.
You can argue that Rule Of Law was left with too much to do and Let The Lion Roar didn’t enjoy the best of passages. But North Light beat them both as well in the Dante at York previously and is a horse who has to be followed until beaten!
Grey Swallow, fourth in the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and then third in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, is the dark horse of this classic. But you have got to say his performances so far this campaign have been mildly disappointing and a watching brief seems best for the moment, particularly as he is far from guaranteed to get the trip.
Day Flight, fourth in the French Derby at Chantilly, has place prospects, while Aidan O’Brien tosses five into the mix. Indeed, if there is to be a real shock then the Ballydoyle handler could provide it with the lightly raced Cobra. Significantly the mount of Jamie Spencer, he looked a horse with bright future when third on his seasonal debut to Medicinal at Leopardstown.
The unbeaten in three races, Russian Blue, far from impressive on his latest appearance, but sure to enjoy stepping up to six furlongs for the first time, can take the Group Two Railway Stakes for Ballydoyle.
At the Curragh this afternoon, Willie Haggas’s Chorist gets the nap in the Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes. This bold front-runner will strip fresh and well, following an easy success in a Listed event at Pontefract, and can prove too strong for smart three-year-old, Alexancer Goldrun.
Spirit Of Age, who caught the eye first time up this season at Leopardstown, is the choice in the Bollinger Maiden. The daughter of Indian Ridge certainly shaped as if she would do better in the future when third to Dangle and Kilmore Princess. It is a trifle disconcerting Kilmore Princess has got beaten twice in the meantime, but stepping up a furlong in distance, Spirit Of Age is worth risking!
