Royal Blue Star is one to note at Galway
Laughing Lashes proved a worthy contender in the Irish Oaks on Sunday when finishing a short head, half a length and another short head behind Blue Bunting in fourth but unfortunately Fran lost his whip about two furlongs out.
I’m not saying she would ever have won the race but I think she most likely would have been third. But when you get a Classic and it’s that little between you and glory, it’s unbelievably close and you can’t help but wonder what might have been.
She will go for a 10-12 furlong autumn campaign now. The plan at the moment, depending on the ground, is to go for the Yorkshire Oaks in the middle of August. There are a couple of races in France after that in which she might run as well but I have to get that sorted in the next week or so.
The same day, Newbury Hall was second in a two-year-old maiden to another heavily-backed horse of Aidan O’Brien’s called Apollo. The winner was backed off the boards so they obviously think a lot of him. So you’d have to say it was a good run and we will find another maiden for Newbury Hall.
In Tipperary, Paradis De Thaix won the ‘Thank you to Alan Quinlan’ beginners’ chase, which was very funny given that Alan is my apprentice trainer for the RTÉ programme Stars Go Racing that aired for the first time this week. Alan is great fun, we’re always laughing and we get on well together. You’d have to say Paradis De Thaix was a little bit lucky but the fences are there to be jumped.
Seader was gutsy when winning the maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe on Tuesday. The track didn’t suit him and two miles was probably a bit short as well but he got the job done. I dread when they’re as short-priced as he was if I’m honest. He went off at 4/7 but there’s nothing you can do about it and he won well in the end.
Thursday night at Leopardstown started brilliantly, with Dragon Pulse and Remember Alexander winning the first two 2yo races. The rain came, which was probably useful for them, but it didn’t suit some others. I took out Blaze Brightly and Space Race as a result of it and I should have taken out Takeyourcapoff, who didn’t like it at all.
I was delighted with Dragon Pulse, especially as it was a first winner for the owner, Tan Kai Chah, who is Singapore-based. Dragon Pulse got beaten a short head first time out and I was a bit worried whether he would come back but he was very good. We’ll find a listed race for him now and step him up to seven furlongs.
Remember Alexander was brilliant in winning the Group 3 Tyros Stakes by four lengths. She was very relaxed and that was the key. She did everything right in the race. She settled well and they went a good gallop which suited. She’ll go for the Moyglare now along with Princess Sinead. Some people might think it strange that they’ll take each other on but you’ve got two different owners so you have to.
Space Race is my only runner today in the two mile maiden hurdle in Wexford. I would hope he’ll run very well as it will suit him. The key is that the ground stays good and quick.
Tomorrow is a day off so we’ll manage a rare Sunday dinner which I’m looking forward to, but thoughts will be turning to Galway, which is a tremendous festival to be involved in as the public really take to it.
There is some quality racing too of course and while it’s a bit early to talk about chances, given that the weather could change and you’re not sure what will get into which race, we will be very competitive hopefully.
It doesn’t look like Dreamy Gent will get into the amateur riders’ handicap on Monday but Maller Tree goes in the bumper and we’ll be making doubly sure that the saddle stays on after what happened last time. That was a good run in the circumstances, to finish third with Kate having to ride almost bareback.
Greenbelt Star runs in the novice hurdle on Tuesday but he really needs good ground. Royal Blue Star will definitely get into the Topaz Mile. She won very easily in Listowel and the handicapper gave her a massive hike, so she ran in a listed race next. This will be competitive – it looks like Back Burner won’t get in – but she has a great chance, carrying only 8st 6lbs.
It doesn’t look like Dundrum, Got Attitude or Chasing Cars will get into the Galway Plate on Wednesday, which is a pity, especially as Dundrum is in very good form. It would be lovely if he could sneak in off a low weight but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Crystal Morning should go well in the seven furling fillies’ handicap on Thursday and Gimli’s Rock is in great form ahead of the Galway Hurdle. He can be a bit of a character but this has been the target and he should run a big race.
Meanwhile, Saludos, Oscars Well, Chaperoned and Jenari are back in after the summer holidays. Bostons Angel will be back in a couple of weeks as he does a bit of pre-training first. It means we’re very busy but in the current climate, that’s a very good complaint.
