There is top class action on Sunday but you will need to look to France or Ireland if you want to find it.
At Longchamp, the Prix Saint-Alary (2:40) is one of the key trials for the Prix De Diane (French Oaks) and Freddie Head’s Pivotal filly Queen’s Jewel is likely to start a warm order against the German-bred filly Olorda and the Aga Khan’s Sea The Stars filly Varana and there are few grounds for thinking that she will not keep her unbeaten record but at odds-on with the PMU.
The Prix D’Ispahan (3:10) is effectively a match between Corine Barande-Barbe’s ageless gelding Cirrus Des Aigles (last year’s winner) and the pretender to his crown, Freddie Head’s five year old Solow. This does not look like one to get involved in as neither will pay anything on the PMU but Solow’s defeat of The Grey Gatsby in Meydan suggests he is the up-and-coming star and his trainer is no mug with older horses.
Over at The Curragh, the first point of interest is the Gallinule Stakes (2:45), where Derby candidate Giovanni Canaletto makes his seasonal bow in a race that Aidan O’Brien has farmed in the last decade. His principal rivals are Beresford Stakes runner-up Clonard Street (although that form does not look too hot now) and Ed Dunlop’s Prince Gagarin, routed here in search of easy ground after skipping Goodwood. The Ballydoyle horse needs to find at least ten pounds to collect this and win quite comfortably if he wants an outing to Epsom.
In the Tattersalls Gold Cup (3:20), the prize money may well be heading back across the Irish Sea with one of the three British contenders. Al Kazeem won this two years ago and chased home Cirrus Des Aigles in the Prix Ganay last time but probably needs rain to assist him, whilst Postponed does not want rain and has something to find on the form. This all points to the Irish Champion Stakes winner The Grey Gatsby for whom the trip is ideal and he warmed up in Meydan chasing home Solow; however, he will be a short-priced favourite.
The Irish 1000 Guineas could have a big bearing on the Oaks betting. According to Aidan O’Brien, the favourite Found got tired on the soft ground on her seasonal debut when beaten by a 25/1 shot. So obviously rain would be a negative for the best horse in the race on the ratings. Arguably stablemate Kissed By Angels would be assisted by rain whilst the yard’s other runner, Qualify, has questions to answer after disappointing in the 1000 Guineas (as has Malabar). Many of the rest are held on various form lines (although Devonshire has been supplemented) whilst Bocca Baciata and Pleascach both drop in trip. The Aga Khan’s filly Raydara makes her seasonal bow but did beat Lucida last term and deserves respect. Stormfly or Jack Naylor could be the each-way bets in this but ultimately FOUND should win this if the rain stays away (min. odds 2/1).
Anybody looking for a banker bet should probably be looking at the last day of the Premier League. Hull City will be relegated if Newcastle win; otherwise, Hull must win. Presumably the crackpot Egyptian owner will not want to change the name to ‘Hull Tigers’ if they are in the Championship, so Manchester United to win at 5/4 and relegate them could suit everyone except him!
