Spear to throw hat into Laurels ring
The 2010 Derby runner-up was reportedly retired after being knocked out of this year's Derby at the semi-final stage but he's back for another crack at classic glory.
As well as finishing second behind kennel companion and litter brother Tyrur McGuigan in last year’s premier classic, Big Mike filled the same spot behind Makeshift in the 2010 Champion Stakes. Somehow, it seems incredibly unjust that the dog which posted a sensational 29.28 for 550 yards around Shelbourne should finish his career without a major success to his name but, donning my ever unsentimental punter’s cap, I fear that will be the fate of the once-brilliant tracker. Some of the early pace he wowed us with last term was evident in the recently completed Derby but there was an exaggerated tendency to lose ground at the bends and that’s not a trait to carry from Shelbourne Park to Curraheen - even though he’s unbeaten in Cork.
Yes, it's easily forgotten that he took his place in the first round of this competition last year, when he showed massive backstraight pace to claim victory. However, his raw speed masked the fact that he wasn't exactly at home on the track and 12 months on it's hard to argue a case as to why much will have changed.
The logic behind the decision to declare him an inside seed is somewhat understandable given that a wide or middle seeding would almost guarantee trap six but it may have back-fired a little as his trap one tonight is far too close to the rails and there could be trouble looming.
That being the case, Spearhawk could be the one to take advantage. The last-named may have a little to prove at this grade over this trip but he possesses brilliant early pace and his recent trial here, in which he opened up with a 3.27 split, indicates quite clearly that he's got the pace to lead most of the runners in the competition.
A look at his performances in the early rounds of the Produce Stakes at Clonmel fills the eye every time. The pace he showed coming out of the second bend is quite incredible and, if he can lead out of traps, then by halfway his lead should be unassailable.
In terms of the outright market, which has been priced up by a number of firms, I’ve already put Spearhawk in my book at 16-1. I can see the pitfalls but he possesses brilliant speed and is arguably a shade overpriced at those odds.
It’s going to be difficult to win a Laurels from the outside but the positive is that, with so few wide seeds, he’s virtually guaranteed his favoured trap each time he qualifies.
There’s also a notion that one missed break will result in his exit but he was a shade unlucky when knocked out of the Produce Stakes and he will be a huge player if bringing his A-Game south.
A number of other dogs appeal as possible outright winners but two of them, Moes Tavern and Local Chief, contest the toughest heat of the opening round - heat nine.
The race would not be out of place as a semi-final heat to any classic and just getting through will be an achievement for any of the runners. The quality of early pace involved is tremendous and that usually spells trouble. While I’m tempted by 33-1 Moes Tavern as an outright play, he hasn’t got any competitive experience of the track and cannot afford any mistake in a heat which includes a recent 28.30 winner in Local Chief, the national record holder Leeview Jet, Tipperary Cup winner Glideaway Ace, Munster Derby winner Cooly Colebe and the early-paced Rustys Coyote. It’s a terrific race and this it’s wisest to take a rain-check on backing any of these ante-post until this heat works itself out.
Colorful Champ is an experienced campaigner around here and he looks to have a superb chance of getting his bid off to a winning start in the final heat of the round.
Getting out in front of Varra Captain is vital to his chance but the evidence of his most recent runs suggests that's entirely likely and, if so, he should see off the prolific Newlawn Tock, who won the Derby Trial Stake here would be a danger from an inside draw but he’s in five and, in any case, may need the run. Champion Stakes winner Uncle Eoin didn’t show his best form in the Derby and will have to find his very best to win.
Sede Vacante has been in super form recently and he can claim the scalp of Cracking Man in the tenth heat. The latter didn’t become a bad dog overnight and those who only remember his flat performance behind potential superstar Milldean Panther will do well to remember his Macroom Motors Services Stakes runs and his second place finish in the Irish Sprint Cup final at Dundalk, but even a performance marginally below his very best will be exposed by John Kiely’s runner.
