Laughing Lashes a worthy Oaks contender
At the moment, we’re not sure what the prognosis is so I can’t really say too much about it. We’ll know more in the coming days but obviously it is a big disappointment to be missing out today.
That means I have a rare day off but tomorrow will make up for that, particularly with Laughing Lashes a worthy contender in the Darley Irish Oaks. She has eight rivals in a hot field but it’s a Classic, so you’d expect nothing less.
The rain would suit although she wouldn’t like it heavy and there is more forecast. She’s in good form and it’s great to have a runner in a Group 1 that’s in there with a chance. I would have no worries about the distance. I think she’ll stay 12 furlongs. She was staying on really well when third in the Irish 1000 Guineas, so that was a good indicator.
Newbury Hall runs in the two-year-old race and I’m looking forward to that. I hope he’s improved from his second to David Livingston. I think he has and that should put him right in the firing line.
Blaze Brightly is in a very hot fillies’ Group 3, the Kilboy Stakes but she’s in great form and will love the ground so I’m expecting a strong run.
I’m covering all angles in the Ladies Derby with two declared runners, Steps To Freedom and Glamorous.
Steps To Freedom just failed to catch Flowers Of Spring at Fairyhouse last Sunday. He was very slow out of the stalls and I think that probably cost him the race. Things were happening a bit quick for him as well and by the time he got going, the winner had just gotten away. There was only a rapidly-diminishing half a length in it at the end though.
He does want good ground though, so given that there is more rain forecast, I have also declared Glamorous as she likes it soft. I just didn’t want to be left with no runner and Kate will ride whichever one does take its chance.
In Tipperary, Paradis De Thaix runs in the ‘Thank you to Alan Quinlan’ Beginners’ Chase. It would be great to win that as Alan is my apprentice trainer for a TV programme being filmed by RTÉ at the moment.
We had the first part of that in Killarney on Tuesday when Dundrum was representing him in Killarney. Dundrum surprised me when beating Tornedo Shay by eight lengths on the flat in what was a perfect warm-up for the Galway Plate. He was brilliant and Alan was very excited by it.
Chasing Cars also has a Galway warm-up but it doesn’t look likely that he’ll actually get into the Plate at this stage.
I was very happy with the two-year-old colt Canaille in Tipperary last Saturday. The ground was a bit soft for him and I think he might have run into a very good one of Aidan’s in Furner’s Green.
On Monday in Killarney, I was really happy with Why But Why’s third because he’d been put up 12 or 13lbs by the handicapper for his last win and I’m not quite sure he stayed the mile and three. He came to win the race and got a bit tired I think. Judging by that, a mile and two may his best distance.
I was thrilled with Serein, who also finished third to Sizing Symphony. He jumped really and just blew up. That was no surprise as it was his first run since March. That was very good and he’ll head to Galway for a two mile maiden hurdle.
Takeyourcapoff stayed on very well to win the mile and six maiden on the Wednesday but Thursday was an unfortunate day as the ground was too soft for both Magical Memoir and Greenbelt Star. Barry was happy with Greenbelt Star, who jumped well and did everything right, but just got a bit bogged down in the end.
Then in the bumper, the saddle slipped on Maller Tree and Kate was little more than a passenger. She had to take her legs out of the irons in the end and almost ride bareback. So that turned out to be a very good run as Maller Tree still finished third, a good bit clear of the fourth horse.
