Wachman delays Damson decision

David Wachman is planning to leave it late before making a definite decision on Damson’s participation in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Entrepreneur filly was forced to miss the Newmarket equivalent after suffering a setback but she has been pleasing connections in her recent work.

However, Wachman is keen to assess conditions at the County Kildare track before committing his star filly to the Classic.

“Damson went fine this morning but it is raining here at the moment so we will wait until Friday and see what the ground is like,” he said.

The sponsors make Damson their 3-1 second favourite behind Aidan O’Brien’s Newmarket heroine Virginia Waters.

County Wexford handler Paul Nolan is looking forward to saddling Sky High Flyer as she moves up to Group One level for the first time.

Last seen when second to Belle Artiste in the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial, she has not been out of the first two in any of her six starts.

“She definitely runs on Sunday, all being well,” Nolan said. “She’s been flying at home and is in good shape.

“Obviously, this represents her biggest step up but she has been unlucky in two Group Threes and there is only one Guineas so she deserves to take her chance.

“You could argue that she was unlucky last time as she got caught on the rails and then was flying at the end.”

Nolan is keeping his fingers crossed for more rain at the Curragh as he believes testing ground would help Sky High Flyer.

“We were hoping for softer ground as that would have inconvenienced the others more but it looks like being perfect going. We still hope she will run well though,” he added.

The daughter of Anabaa will be trying a mile for the first time and Nolan hopes the early pace will not be too hot.

“We think the step up will help but they will be going as fast from the start as it is a better class race,” he explained.

“We hope she won’t have to be scrubbed along to keep up with the early pace as she doesn’t break that quickly. She does like passing horses so it may suit her that way.

“Aidan’s filly looks very special but Saoire was unlucky in running for Frances Crowley.

“There’s Damson to consider too. We haven’t seen her yet but if she’s trained on she would be a worthy second favourite.”

Boylesports make Sky High Flyer a 14-1 chance.