Classy Beethoven can call the tune
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Oratorio reappears six days after contesting the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at Ascot and, hopefully, that will not have left its mark.
He has kept the best of company all season and, prior to Ascot, was a creditable fourth behind Cape Blanco in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Then last weekend, he was again in Group 1 company, this time over a mile, a trip which is now short of his best.
But Beeethoven produced a smashing performance to finish fourth behind Poet’s Voice, Rip Van Winkle and Red Jazz.
Marco Botti’s English challenger, Gitano Hernando, is of obvious interest, with Kieren Fallon making the journey across to partner him.
He is a class act, as evidenced by a Grade 1 success at Santa Anita and landing the Winter Derby by a street at Lingfield.
Gitano Hernando has not, however, been seen since finishing sixth in a Group 1 at Meydan in Dubai back in March and is using this as preparation for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket. A watching brief is probably the best policy for the moment.
Ken Condon’s progressive Charpoy is the nap choice in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Auction Maiden.
He had the worst of the draw when a close third behind Rising Wind and Obligation at Listowel and has been much luckier on this occasion in stall three.
Golden Ticket, an eye-catcher when beaten three parts of a length by the dead-heaters, Don’t Tell The Boys and Eightybarackstreet, at Listowel can win the Bumper at Gowran Park.
