Euro can lead the way in GPT
Ability to truly stay two miles and face the dreaded up hill climb to the straight are the ingredients needed for this test of stamina and Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old looks best equipped of all the 20 possibilities.
He returns from a minor break, having been rested since disappointing over hurdles on unsuitably soft ground at Auteuil in the middle of June. Previously, Euro Leader contested his first ever flat race over a mile and six at Leopardstown and battled on powerfully to beat stable companion Warrens Castle by a head. A high-class chaser, he defied 12-0 to win the Kerry National at Listowel last September, the selection is the one to beat with the talented Katie Walsh in the plate.
Katie’s brother, Ruby, can provide us with a winning nap by guiding Summer Soul to success in the GPT Sligo Novice Hurdle.
He ran a cracking race on the flat at this meeting a year ago, runner-up to Noend in a competitive 12 furlongs handicap. Summer Soul was given two spins over flights in April, before returning to action with a promising second behind Mrs Gillow at the Curragh earlier this month.
Dermot Weld trains Summer Soul and his Fleeting Shadow is preferred to Aidan O’Brien’s Chivalrous in the GPT Access Equipment EBF Maiden for colts and geldings.
This should be some betting race, particularly if the heavy-hitters are divided as to the likely outcome. Fleeting Shadow made a fine debut when beaten two lengths by the smart Finicius at the Curragh and had Chivalrous a little over a length and a half away in fourth. But Chivalrous improved plenty next time when a close third behind Regional Counsel and Sadeek, subsequent winner Gaudeamus was fourth, in a Group Three at the Curragh and is a worthy opponent.
The Black Lion, three lengths second to Forafewdollarsmore at Gowran Park, with the third a further 21 lengths away, is the one to be on in GPT Waterford Bumper.
