Blanco poised to deliver
You would have to say this looks a very disappointing line-up for Ireland’s premier classic, although that was probably always going to be the case once the Epsom Derby hero Workforce wasn’t coming.
It has also been a confusing lead-in to the race, with Ballydoyle clearly struggling to decide what was their main contender.
All logic dictated that Jan Vermeer would be Johnny Murtagh’s choice, but his work on the gallops, since finishing fourth at Epsom, has clearly left plenty to be desired and if he’s not good enough for Murtagh then he’s not good enough for us!
Murtagh has discarded Midas Touch as well, who was only a place and a head adrift of Jan Vermeer in the English Derby.
Cape Blanco, who is frequently lame apparently, performed deplorably in the French Derby at Chantilly, but is a cracking good horse when on song.
He slammed Workforce by three and a quarter lengths in the Dante at York and though Workforce clearly improved dramatically afterwards, it was still a decent performance. As well as that, of course, Cape Blanco was unbeaten in three races as a juvenile.
It’s difficult enough to make a solid case for anything else. Monterosso, by virtue of the fact is trained by Mark Johnston and partnered by Frankie Dettori, is entitled to some respect.
He’s progressive and won the King Edward v11 Stakes in good style at Royal Ascot, beating Arctic Cosmos by two and a quarter lengths.
But that form may not be worth a hill of beans, considering Monterosso had a whopping 26lbs in hand of his rival.
The nap vote falls on Dermot Weld’s Emulous, in a particularly competitive looking Listed Woodies DIY Celebration Stakes.
Lightly raced and well regarded by connections, she made an excellent start to the season when runner-up behind Kitty Kiernan at Naas and may come on a bundle for the outing.
Weld’s Profound Beauty is the nap choice in the Group 3 At The Races Curragh Cup at headquarters this afternoon.
Now a six-year-old, there is every possibility she is still improving. That is certainly the conclusion to be drawn, following her half a length defeat of Age Of Aquarius at Leopardstown last month. Age Of Aquarius gave the form a massive boost when second to Rite Of Passage in the Ascot Gold Cup.
Weld may also have the answer to the Group 3 Ballymacoll Stud International Stakes with Precious Gem. A narrow winner at Limerick last time, the selection has 6lbs to find with Recharge, but is going forward rapidly and could be equal to the task.
Aidan O’Brien’s Master Of Hounds has to get the vote in the Barronstown Stud EBF Maiden, having been touched off by Kevin Prendergast’s Dunboyne Express at Leopardstown.
Prendergast’s Puttore, beaten a length by O’Brien’s Together at Leopardstown, is the one to beat in the Tipperary Crystal EBF Fillies Maiden. The third and fourth then, Song Of Time and Gemstone respectively, both scored subsequently.
O’Brien’s Remember When, rather remarkably still a maiden, can land the featured Group 1 Audi Pretty Polly Stakes.
A close fourth to Bethrah in the Irish 1000 Guineas here, she was then third behind Snow Fairy and Meeznah in the Epsom Oaks. This ten furlongs could prove her ideal trip.
