FIRST 2020 CLASSIC WILL BE RUN IN IRELAND, SAYS DAQMAN: Daqman today announces a six-hit start for his Fortune Cookies’ horses to follow for the 2020 Flat season, which he will increase to 20 as usual before the first Classic is run, but where and when will it be run? That’s the question, and the answer seems to be Ireland, but with the English racing authority determined to run Royal Ascot, even behind closed doors.
MAGICAL ADDEYBB DOUBLE SENDS MARQUAND STAR SKY HIGH: Fortune Cookies have to include Addeybb, who doubled up on his Group-1 triumphs under Tom Marquand when he added the QEII Stakes at Randwick (earlier today, main picture) to his Rosehill strike in March. ‘I just want him home now and show him off at Royal Ascot, if only on TV,’ says trainer William Haggas. Marquand was tipped for the top in Daqman’s current betting-secrets series. Today’s headlines:
GUINEAS LOVE GAME FOR O’BRIEN
TAKE PRIDE IN FORTUNE COOKIES
GUINEAS LOVE GAME FOR O’BRIEN
It’s a Classic steal. While the English racing authority has declared postponement until later in the year for its Guineas, Derby and Oaks, Ireland hopes for a racing resumption in time for the Irish 2,000 (May 23) and 1,000 (May 24).
The Newmarket Guineas at the beginning of May would have no chance of instant rescue, whereas the Irish equivalents are three weeks later, potentially right on the line.
It could mean an assault on the fillies’ first Classic at the Curragh by Roger Charlton, with his current English 1,000 Guineas favourite, Quadrilateral, if she is allowed to travel, and whether or not Royal Ascot becomes a viable alternative.
Love is reckoned Aidan O’Brien’s first choice and many Irish eyes will be on Jessica Harrington’s pair, Albigna and Alpine Star. Both have bags of stamina and ground conditions could decide whether they go for the Guineas or wait for the Oaks.
With likely very little choice of venue, what major races that do take place are going to have big fields, with trainers desperate to get a run into their quality colts and fillies.
Albigna was beaten by Love in the Moyglare (good) but was a clear winner of the Marcel Boussac (very soft). She then got too far back in the Breeders Cup (firm), in which Roger Varian’s Daahyeh ran second, also finishing well.
Alpine Star, a tough daughter of Sea The Moon, looks another Oaks type. She didn’t break her maiden until the Galway Festival, then was tenacious in taking the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.
TAKE PRIDE IN FORTUNE COOKIES
⚠️ HEADS UP The 1,000 form is all tied in with Love, who showed an affection for a sounder surface as a juvenile.
She was favourite but ran in snatches behind Alpine Star in the Debutante, before beating Daahyeh in the Moyglare (going good), finally third on the soft behind Quadrilateral in the Fillies’ Mile.
Another filly I’m told to ‘expect’ is Born With Pride, a William Haggas trained relative of Raheen House, but appears from her pedigree to have plenty of options.
Despite the claims of Arizona and Wichita, the Beresford winner, Inisfree, is my Aidan O’Brien three-year-old colt at this stage. Don’t forget his squad has already had a three-year-old colt win on turf this season, Russian Emperor at Naas.
I expected to win the Irish Lincolnshire there but it was lost. I fancied Patrick Sarsfield, a four-year-old Australia gelding, trained by Joseph O’Brien, to be a Group horse in a handicap.
Patrick Sarsfield has changed stables twice, despite having only four races on his CV, but Joseph boosted his form considerably in the autumn.
He clearly knew he was a ‘hidden horse’ in advance of two races of 17 runners and 14 at Cork and the Curragh, because he started 2-1 on and 5-1 on. Gelded since.
🏇 ADDEYBB (Willie Haggas) Group-1 double in Australia. Needs cut in the ground.
🏇 ALPINE STAR (Jessica Harrington) Debutante 2-y-o win; will improve for a trip.
🏇 BORN WITH PRIDE (William Haggas) late starter; breeding laced with stamina.
🏇 INNISFREE (Aidan O’Brien) Beresford win on heavy but will fly on better ground.
🏇 LOVE (Aidan O’Brien) Silver Flash and Moyglare double on a sound surface.
🏇 PATRICK SARSFIELD (Joseph O’Brien) Improver at 1m who should stay further.
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