I didn't see the Free Eagle or races thereafter...went to The House Bar in Stanmillis where the owner,Mark,is still crying in his stout after Framk Lampard nicked his fiancee. Anyhow,very interesting to hear the Dermot Weld interview after FE won his maiden and before racing today..played down his chances today in particular and stressed after his debut that he would have one more race and no more as a juvenile. Unlike some Newmarket trainers,Weld doesn't hype his horses and was particularly keen to stress he will be a middle distance 3-y-o. What perhaps is concerning for the ante post lemmings is thst the third closed the gap in a manner that would have been expected after their respective debuts...wasn't overly impressed with Australia in his two runs to date but the form has a solid aspect. I did catch the 4.15 before the alehouse beckoned and the winner looked very special..made up lots of ground off a moderate pace which is very difficult to do at L'town and won going away without even being slapped...very very impressive. The one 2-y-o who hasn't excited me is the current favourite for Guineas...all to prove,as they all do one supposes. Always love this time of year but as Weld stated,to win a Leopardstown maiden henceforth you need a listed/G3 class animal as a minimal requirement..Maidens in England are much easier to win...good benchmarking for my black book.
Al Kazeem doesnt look the same horse who won the Prince of Wales and the Eclipse, he has absolutely no chance in the Arc and I wouldnt be backing him in the Champion either. Hes been a good horse but the 4 races on firm ground have ruined him for this season at least, either retire him just now or put him away and bring him back as a 6yo. Had two singles and a double ante post, Gordon Lord Byron 5/1 and Al Kazeem 3/1, cost me a few quid. The fugue is a villain of a horse, always has been, always will be.
Although The Fugue cost me a few quid beating Al Kazeem she was a convincing winner so I can't complain. Really didn't have her down as turning the form around especially as she was 50/50 to go on the ground. Al Kazeem has probably had 2 races too many this year.
she is a four year old, so is still developing-- not sure what people expect of animals, they are not machines( frankel excepted)
