Rain threat to Tartan Bearer’s Tattersalls Gold Cup run
The Spectrum colt was beaten just half a length by New Approach in last year’s Derby at Epsom and made a winning return to action when edging out Pipedreamer in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown.
However, Peter Reynolds, manager of Ballymacoll Stud, who own Tartan Bearer, does not believe the weather in Ireland is enhancing his prospects.
“I’m sorry to be negative about it, but it’s pretty wet in Ireland at the moment and I wouldn’t be sure it would be best for him to be running on very soft ground,” he said.
Dermot Weld has left in both Casual Conquest and Famous Name, while Jim Bolger’s top-class filly Lush Lashes is another fascinating contender.
Casual Conquest is likely to take part, although connections just want to double-check his progress later in the week.
He was placed in both the English and Irish Derby last year but was the subject of quite a turn-up on his first run since the Curragh at Newmarket this spring.
Sent off an uneasy but still odds-on favourite for the Jockey Club Stakes, the colt was worried out of it by Bronze Cannon and Weld declared he was rather ring-rusty.
Kevin Prendergast has the choice of Beach Bunny and Moiqen, while Godolphin’s Campanologist, the Luca Cumani-trained Cima De Triomphe, and Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Red Rock Canyon and Thewayyouare complete the possibles.
Meanwhile, John Oxx reports his 2000 Guineas hero Sea The Stars to be fighting fit as he goes in search of a Classic double in next month’s Investec Derby.
A winner of two of his three juvenile starts, the Cape Cross colt ran out an impressive victor at Newmarket earlier in the month as he stretched clear of Craven winner Delegator.
Sea The Stars is slowly beginning to build up his work again as Epsom draws closer and the Currabeg handler is delighted with his current form.
“We’re very happy with him and he’s had two weeks cantering now. He seems very fresh and well in himself and he’s beginning to step up in his work again,” said Oxx.
