O’Brien declares confidence in War
Connections of the eight declared runners have mixed feelings about the prospects of the ground conditions easing, though Aidan O’Brien is happy to let his two representatives, Declaration Of War and Kingsbarns, take their chances whatever the weather may do.
Declaration Of War has thrived on racing this season, producing arguably his best performance when racing to victory over two of today’s rivals, Trading Leather and Al Kazeem, in the Juddmonte International at York last month.
That came on fast ground and his trainer is hoping the rain will stay away for the four-year-old who is having his eighth start of the season.
O’Brien said: “Declaration Of War hasn’t done a lot since York but he’s in good form and we’re happy with him.
“He is a horse with an incredible constitution as he showed at York when winning the Juddmonte International.
“He has won on soft but he loves fast ground so, hopefully, they won’t get much rain.”
O’Brien’s other runner is Kingsbarns, who jumped to the head of the Epsom Derby market when running out a very impressive winner of last season’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
But the son of Galileo has had his injury problems and hasn’t been seen since that victory and connections are just happy to have him back on the track.
The Ballydoyle handler told coolmore.com: “We’ve been happy with the way Kingsbarns has been progressing since he went back into work.
“He’s been a long time off and is just ready to start back. We’re hoping he runs a good race.”
Roger Charlton, trainer of Al Kazeem, who suffered his first defeat of this campaign when third behind Declaration Of War at York, would welcome some rain for his charge.
The colt was considered a doubtful runner earlier in the week but the prospect of rain has swayed connections and he is ready to go.
“The weather forecast seems to change by the hour and there is a wide range of opinions as to how much they will get,” said Charlton.
“The gun is loaded so fingers crossed yet again.”
In complete contrast, John Gosden’s brilliant filly The Fugue relishes a fast surface, as she showed when running out a scintillating winner of last month’s Yorkshire Oaks.
Gosden said: “She’s very well, but obviously we are watching very carefully what happens (with the weather).
“Obviously we would be very concerned (if there was excessive rainfall) but things are changing all the time.”
Speaking earlier in the week, jockey William Buick appeared confident about The Fugue’s chances.
He told At The Races: “It was great to see her back to her best (at York).
“It was a great performance from her and I was very pleased for the filly and all her connections.
“It’s going to be a tough race, taking on the colts, but hopefully the ground will be in her favour and I can’t see the track being a problem either.
“When they turn in at Leopardstown, you have to have that bit of speed and she has that.
“It’s a hard task, but she goes there in good form.”
