Dylan Thomas can show Champion form
He comes here on the back of a poor effort in the Juddmonte International at York last time, but too much shouldn’t be read into that.
There was always the strong possibility, as a son of Danehill, Dylan Thomas would struggle on the rain-softened ground and so it proved, as he could only manage fourth behind Notnowcato.
The selection is better judged on his stunning success in the Irish Derby at the Curragh back in July. He produced a tremendous turn of foot in the closing stages to score by an unflattering three and a half lengths and only a high-class horse could have done that.
The admirable Ouija Board has the best overall form of any of the contestants and if she runs up to her best is going to prove a tough nut to crack.
She arrives here on the back of a memorable tussle with Alexander Goldrun, they were finally separated by a short head, in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
That was a mighty battle through the last two furlongs and it remains to be seen just how much of a mark it may have left on the two fillies.
Connections of Ouija Board are looking forward to renewing rivalry with Alexander Goldrun.
“We’re very excited,” said owner Lord Derby’s brother and racing manager, Peter Stanley.
“It was an epic battle at Goodwood. We would be happy if we could repeat it and we would be very happy with the same result.”
But with the two five-year-old mares taking on the colts, Stanley appreciates it is not two-horse affair.
“You wouldn’t expect an Irish Champion to be anything other than a tough race,” he added.
“Dylan Thomas was a very impressive Irish Derby winner and he will have the ground more in his favour than it was at York.”
Mustameet has enjoyed a great campaign, but simply doesn’t look good enough, while Ace has always failed when tackling the best.
Nannina is the nap choice in the other Group One on the programme, the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes.
She gave a brilliant display to take the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, was then beaten off a muddling pace at Newmarket and the ten furlongs last time was almost certainly further than she wanted to travel when a creditable third to Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun at Goodwood.
Frost Giant, winner of a Group Three on this track as a two-year-old, but rested since down the field in the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, can win the Bruce Betting Kilternan Stakes, especially if the market speaks in his favour.
At Cork tomorrow, Willie Mullins’ Euro Leader rates a safe wager in the Newmarket Motors Volkswagen Hurdle.
A proven chaser, he showed he’s no mug at this game when beaten a length by Maxxium at Tralee last week. The trip then was inadequate and an extra three furlongs now is all in favour of Euro Leader.
Golden Arrow, fresh from his fifth in the American Derby at Arlington, will obviously be popular in the Cork Race.
Preference, however, is for Latino Magic, who ran a cracker off 10-1 when fourth to Quinmster in the Cambridgeshire at the Curragh.
At Galway tomorrow Spes Ultima, who took a moderate race in snug fashion at Down Royal a week ago, can take the Ryans’ Event Cleaners Novice Hurdle.
