June 1 – Listowel – Gavoo – 73
Fresh Fade burst out of the gates to ensure this opening 2yo maiden was run at a searching gallop and credit goes to David Marnane’s inmate for running the front runner down inside the final furlong. Needing every yard of the extended six-furlongs, the son of Elzaam confirmed the promise of his debut effort in an above-average contest at The Curragh and his speed figure suggests he can easily hold his own in better company further down the line. Given the pair were well clear of the rest, the runner-up deserves plenty of praise for his performance and he can be backed with confidence next time when dropping down in trip.
June 1 – Nottingham – Supermodel – 86
Just the six runners went to post for this fillies’ handicap but there was no hanging around and the winner, behind early after a tardy start, was one of two to benefit from being out the teeth of the gale. Once the pace collapsed, William Haggas’ inmate arrived on the scene with seemingly plenty to offer and she soon assumed command when hitting front two out, eventually going on to run out a comfortable winner. Posting a very smart speed figure, clearly she is well south of her true worth and it will be interesting to see how she is campaigned from this juncture. A lightly-raced filly with the likelihood of more to come, it would come as no surprise if she lined up for the Sandringham Handicap for three-year-old fillies at the Royal meeting next week. As for the runner-up, Treasure, time may tell she faced an impossible task trying to give the winner almost two stone and she will be seen to better effect over further next time.
June 4 – Curragh – Mr Percy – 82
This race was billed as a match between the two with strong National Hunt form and with Sixandahalf proving a bitter disappointment, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding duly took advantage of the favourite’s demise. That said, the time figure he posted suggested he still had to raise his game to a high level and in doing so, he booked his ticket for the Ebor at York later in the campaign. Runner-up, Jabbar, continues to improve and he can be placed to good effect next time while Helvic Dream once again produced another solid effort at a track that clearly suits his eye.
June 5 – Leopardstown – Zahraan – 74
By no means the strongest speed figure we noted all week but the performance of Johnny Murtagh’s colt still deserves to be talked about in favourable terms and he remains one to keep on side. Although the race was run at a reasonable clip, it should have favoured those towards the front end of the field, so the fact that the son of Night Of Thunder was able to come from last to first in a short space of time is testimony to his natural ability. Since stepping up to middle distances, this lightly-raced colt has really begun to thrive and he looks ready to face Group company next time. Runner-up, Arouet, had the run of the race and had no excuses, but time may tell he bumped into a very useful colt and he deserves another chance to confirm himself at this level.
June 6 – Epsom – Jan Brueghel – 86
Calandagan was all the rage to gain his due rewards for a series of fine efforts in defeat but once again he bumped into a horse not willing to give up the ghost lightly and he had to settle for a minor role for the fourth time in succession. However, given he was asked to make ground from the rear off the back of a very strong pace against a horse who just kept galloping, he probably ran better than many pundits believe and he is worth another chance on a quicker surface he encountered on this occasion. As for the winner, he was better positioned of the pair and on rain-softened ground that favoured him more on the day, he proved a willing accomplice for his pilot.
June 7 – Epsom – JM Jungle – 84
Befitting a race of this nature, a strong speed figure ensued and it was good to see John & Sean Quinn’s gelding gain due rewards for a series of fine placed efforts. As all his previous data suggested, a well-run affair suits him best and he showed a nice turn of foot to put the race to bed. An out-and-out five-furlong specialist, expect him to be a major player in many similar contests in future.
June 7 – Epsom – Lambourn – 81
Probably not a vintage Derby but similar to how he performed at Chester previously (81), the winner once again showed he stays every yard of the trip and he proved much the best under the prevailing conditions on the day. As it turned out, it was a good tactical ride by the continually underestimated Wayne Lordan who seized on the fact most of the previous races had favoured being on the speed and there wasn’t too many anxious moments once he had established a clear lead on a horse who just keeps galloping. On this evidence, Aidan O’Brien’s 11th Derby winner looks an ideal St Leger type and it’s easy to see why he is the current 5-2 favourite in the ante-post lists.
June 7 – Chepstow – Flowerhead – 75
Last but not least comes a two-year-old who finally brought some joy to the beleaguered Amo Racing team and she might have done enough to warrant a crack at one of the juvenile prizes at the Royal meeting. Having had the benefit of a previous outing, Charlie Clover’s filly knew her job well enough to bag herself the favoured stands side rail and even though she was hard pressed maintain her advantage in the latter stages, she eventually saw off her main challengers one by one. Clocking a smart speed figure, it was also worth noting she was over a second quicker than the older sprinters over the same C&D from three out and she wouldn’t be out of place in either the Queen Mary or Windsor Castle should connections decide to roll the dice.