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Irish Examiner
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Minnie Hauk has little to do to complete double
The turnout for the Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks, the feature of the weekend's action in the Curragh, is deeply disappointing, and leaves Epsom Oaks winner Minnie Hauk with little to do to complete the double. Aidan O'Brien's filly was promising last season and has improved with both outings this season, culminating in that narrow success from stablemate Whirl in the British Classic. The form received a nice boost when the runner-up won the Pretty Polly at the Curragh, and if this filly runs to the same form as at Epsom, she will follow up. Wemightakedlongway was five and a quarter-lengths behind the selection in the Oaks and will do well to narrow that gap. That said, she rates the only plausible challenger and her trainer, Joseph O'Brien, has his team in top form. The nap goes to Extravagant, who can get off the mark in the Lavazza Sprint Nursery. Aidan O'Brien's twice-raced colt was quite green on debut but ran a good race to finish second to Green Soul, and while he was beaten favourite on his second outing, it appeared as though the step up to seven furlongs caught him out. Back to six for his first handicap, he can make a winning start off his mark of 83. Old rival Bobby McGee, who has twice finished just behind him, can follow him home. He showed improved form last time and that looks good enough to ensure he goes close here. Al Riffa can record his first win of the season by taking the Group 2 Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup. Joseph O'Brien's five-year-old has done plenty of travelling and this will be his first run in Ireland since finishing second in the International Stakes at this track in 2023. Last time out, at the Royal meeting in Ascot, he posted a huge effort to finish runner-up to Rebel Romance in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes and, at this stage of his career, it looks as though he will appreciate the step up to today's one-mile-six trip. He is conceding weight to all of his rivals but has a class edge and can make it count. On Sunday's card, the Mark Prescott-trained Tasmania can build on a promising return from a long lay-off by taking the Group 3 Al Shira'aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes. The five-year-old has clearly had plenty of issues, but she made her comeback, after almost a year off, in a Group 3 on Newcastle's all-weather track and caught the eye with her runner-up finish. Bound to be better for the run, and sure to appreciate the bit of ease in the ground, she can make the trip across the Irish Sea a profitable one. Tommy Lyons' picks: CURRAGH (Saturday) 1:30 Seoul Force 2:00 Big Gossey 2:35 Puerto Rico 3:05 Powerful Nation 3:40 Minnie Hauk 4:15 Al Riffa (nb) 4:50 Extravagant (nap) 5:25 Shelbiana Next best 1:30 Action 2:00 Heavenly Power 2:35 Power Blue 3:05 Mgheera 3:40 Wemightakedlongway 4:15 Shackelton 4:50 Bobby McGee 5:25 Proxima Centauri CURRAGH (Sunday) 1:20 Saint Agatha 1:55 Empress Artemis 2:30 Tasmania (nap) 3:05 Lady In Paris 3:40 Room Service 4:15 Desert Power 4:50 Edelak (nb) 5:25 Sunlight Dance Next best 1:20 You'll Think Of Me 1:55 Spicy Margarita 2:30 One Look 3:05 Valorous Power 3:40 Diego Velazquez 4:15 Bille Be Quick 4:50 Light As Air 5:25 Treasure Rose
Rhyl Journal
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Detain team ‘excited' to tackle Hampton Court challenge
John and Thady Gosden's Detain has come closest to big-race glory of the 14 runners as having run well in the French Guineas to be sixth, he stepped up on that to finish third in the French Derby. 'It was a huge run the last day and he was beaten three-quarters of a length which is very little,' said Barry Mahon of owners Juddmonte. 'We initially thought Ascot would come too soon, but he has bounced out of Chantilly well and John and Thady are both very happy with him. 'We would be excited to see him over the mile and a quarter again at a nice track and a little down in grade.' Just behind him in the French Derby in fourth was Trinity College for Aidan O'Brien and the pair meet again, with just a quarter of a length to make up. Representing British Classic form is Saeed bin Suroor's Tornado Alert. He outran his odds to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas and was not disgraced when sixth of 18 in the Derby behind Lambourn. 'He came back well from the Derby and he's in good form,' said Godolphin's long-standing trainer. 'I think this race will suit him, a mile and a quarter looks a nice trip for him having run well over a mile and a mile and a half. 'This looked the right place to bring him, down in class a bit, having run well in the Guineas and the Derby.' Two horses arrive on the back of just two runs, Andrew Balding's High Stock, who won the Wood Ditton before finishing second in the Dee Stakes at Chester, and Roger Varian's Jackknife. He was an impressive winner on debut before finishing third in the Heron Stakes at Sandown. 'We've been very pleased with him, I was delighted with him in the Heron, he finished his race off really well after meeting a bit of trouble,' Varian told Sky Sports Racing. 'Oisin (Murphy) thought the step up to 10 furlongs and better ground would suit him. He's a lovely horse, not only for this week but beyond.' James Ferguson's Glittering Legend made big strides in the spring and is another of note, along with William Haggas' Arabian Force, who has seen his form boosted in recent days. While the Ribblesdale Stakes perhaps lacks an established star, Paddy Twomey's Catalina Delcarpio still has plenty of time to develop into one. Unraced at two, she made a winning debut before being beaten into second in the Salsabil Stakes. Twomey said: 'We're looking forward to the race. Catalina won well on debut and then ran well again in the Salsabil Stakes. 'She's trained well since and we're looking forward it. 'She's run well in both her runs and she's bred to be a middle-distance filly and we're really looking forward to the race.' The Balding-trained Serenity Prayer, second in the Musidora at York, has a similar profile. In the Norfolk Stakes, O'Brien's Charles Darwin is a short price to take his record to three out of four, although there are plenty of lively challengers. Wathnan Racing are well represented with Karl Burke's Naval Light, who caught the eye when second on debut, and Sandal's Song, trained in America by George Weaver. Of Naval Light, Wathnan's Richard Brown said: 'I think there will be much more to come and he fell out the stalls at Beverley and then was given the perfect ride for a debut by Sam James, who was very patient with him. 'Although the gaps didn't come for him to win the race, when they did open and he gave him a small flick he started to fly and galloped out very strongly.' Of Sandal's Song, he added: 'He won impressively at Gulfstream for the team who brought Crimson Advocate over to win a couple of years ago. 'He's settled in well at the National Stud and we know these American raiders have to be taken seriously.'
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Detain team ‘excited' to tackle Hampton Court challenge
John and Thady Gosden's Detain has come closest to big-race glory of the 14 runners as having run well in the French Guineas to be sixth, he stepped up on that to finish third in the French Derby. 'It was a huge run the last day and he was beaten three-quarters of a length which is very little,' said Barry Mahon of owners Juddmonte. 'We initially thought Ascot would come too soon, but he has bounced out of Chantilly well and John and Thady are both very happy with him. 'We would be excited to see him over the mile and a quarter again at a nice track and a little down in grade.' Just behind him in the French Derby in fourth was Trinity College for Aidan O'Brien and the pair meet again, with just a quarter of a length to make up. Representing British Classic form is Saeed bin Suroor's Tornado Alert. He outran his odds to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas and was not disgraced when sixth of 18 in the Derby behind Lambourn. 'He came back well from the Derby and he's in good form,' said Godolphin's long-standing trainer. 'I think this race will suit him, a mile and a quarter looks a nice trip for him having run well over a mile and a mile and a half. 'This looked the right place to bring him, down in class a bit, having run well in the Guineas and the Derby.' Two horses arrive on the back of just two runs, Andrew Balding's High Stock, who won the Wood Ditton before finishing second in the Dee Stakes at Chester, and Roger Varian's Jackknife. He was an impressive winner on debut before finishing third in the Heron Stakes at Sandown. 'We've been very pleased with him, I was delighted with him in the Heron, he finished his race off really well after meeting a bit of trouble,' Varian told Sky Sports Racing. 'Oisin (Murphy) thought the step up to 10 furlongs and better ground would suit him. He's a lovely horse, not only for this week but beyond.' James Ferguson's Glittering Legend made big strides in the spring and is another of note, along with William Haggas' Arabian Force, who has seen his form boosted in recent days. While the Ribblesdale Stakes perhaps lacks an established star, Paddy Twomey's Catalina Delcarpio still has plenty of time to develop into one. Unraced at two, she made a winning debut before being beaten into second in the Salsabil Stakes. Twomey said: 'We're looking forward to the race. Catalina won well on debut and then ran well again in the Salsabil Stakes. 'She's trained well since and we're looking forward it. 'She's run well in both her runs and she's bred to be a middle-distance filly and we're really looking forward to the race.' The Balding-trained Serenity Prayer, second in the Musidora at York, has a similar profile. In the Norfolk Stakes, O'Brien's Charles Darwin is a short price to take his record to three out of four, although there are plenty of lively challengers. Wathnan Racing are well represented with Karl Burke's Naval Light, who caught the eye when second on debut, and Sandal's Song, trained in America by George Weaver. Of Naval Light, Wathnan's Richard Brown said: 'I think there will be much more to come and he fell out the stalls at Beverley and then was given the perfect ride for a debut by Sam James, who was very patient with him. 'Although the gaps didn't come for him to win the race, when they did open and he gave him a small flick he started to fly and galloped out very strongly.' Of Sandal's Song, he added: 'He won impressively at Gulfstream for the team who brought Crimson Advocate over to win a couple of years ago. 'He's settled in well at the National Stud and we know these American raiders have to be taken seriously.'
South Wales Guardian
18-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Detain team ‘excited' to tackle Hampton Court challenge
John and Thady Gosden's Detain has come closest to big-race glory of the 14 runners as having run well in the French Guineas to be sixth, he stepped up on that to finish third in the French Derby. 'It was a huge run the last day and he was beaten three-quarters of a length which is very little,' said Barry Mahon of owners Juddmonte. 'We initially thought Ascot would come too soon, but he has bounced out of Chantilly well and John and Thady are both very happy with him. 'We would be excited to see him over the mile and a quarter again at a nice track and a little down in grade.' Just behind him in the French Derby in fourth was Trinity College for Aidan O'Brien and the pair meet again, with just a quarter of a length to make up. Representing British Classic form is Saeed bin Suroor's Tornado Alert. He outran his odds to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas and was not disgraced when sixth of 18 in the Derby behind Lambourn. 'He came back well from the Derby and he's in good form,' said Godolphin's long-standing trainer. 'I think this race will suit him, a mile and a quarter looks a nice trip for him having run well over a mile and a mile and a half. 'This looked the right place to bring him, down in class a bit, having run well in the Guineas and the Derby.' Two horses arrive on the back of just two runs, Andrew Balding's High Stock, who won the Wood Ditton before finishing second in the Dee Stakes at Chester, and Roger Varian's Jackknife. He was an impressive winner on debut before finishing third in the Heron Stakes at Sandown. 'We've been very pleased with him, I was delighted with him in the Heron, he finished his race off really well after meeting a bit of trouble,' Varian told Sky Sports Racing. 'Oisin (Murphy) thought the step up to 10 furlongs and better ground would suit him. He's a lovely horse, not only for this week but beyond.' James Ferguson's Glittering Legend made big strides in the spring and is another of note, along with William Haggas' Arabian Force, who has seen his form boosted in recent days. While the Ribblesdale Stakes perhaps lacks an established star, Paddy Twomey's Catalina Delcarpio still has plenty of time to develop into one. Unraced at two, she made a winning debut before being beaten into second in the Salsabil Stakes. Twomey said: 'We're looking forward to the race. Catalina won well on debut and then ran well again in the Salsabil Stakes. 'She's trained well since and we're looking forward it. 'She's run well in both her runs and she's bred to be a middle-distance filly and we're really looking forward to the race.' The Balding-trained Serenity Prayer, second in the Musidora at York, has a similar profile. In the Norfolk Stakes, O'Brien's Charles Darwin is a short price to take his record to three out of four, although there are plenty of lively challengers. Wathnan Racing are well represented with Karl Burke's Naval Light, who caught the eye when second on debut, and Sandal's Song, trained in America by George Weaver. Of Naval Light, Wathnan's Richard Brown said: 'I think there will be much more to come and he fell out the stalls at Beverley and then was given the perfect ride for a debut by Sam James, who was very patient with him. 'Although the gaps didn't come for him to win the race, when they did open and he gave him a small flick he started to fly and galloped out very strongly.' Of Sandal's Song, he added: 'He won impressively at Gulfstream for the team who brought Crimson Advocate over to win a couple of years ago. 'He's settled in well at the National Stud and we know these American raiders have to be taken seriously.'
Leader Live
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Detain team ‘excited' to tackle Hampton Court challenge
John and Thady Gosden's Detain has come closest to big-race glory of the 14 runners as having run well in the French Guineas to be sixth, he stepped up on that to finish third in the French Derby. 'It was a huge run the last day and he was beaten three-quarters of a length which is very little,' said Barry Mahon of owners Juddmonte. 'We initially thought Ascot would come too soon, but he has bounced out of Chantilly well and John and Thady are both very happy with him. 'We would be excited to see him over the mile and a quarter again at a nice track and a little down in grade.' Just behind him in the French Derby in fourth was Trinity College for Aidan O'Brien and the pair meet again, with just a quarter of a length to make up. Representing British Classic form is Saeed bin Suroor's Tornado Alert. He outran his odds to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas and was not disgraced when sixth of 18 in the Derby behind Lambourn. 'He came back well from the Derby and he's in good form,' said Godolphin's long-standing trainer. 'I think this race will suit him, a mile and a quarter looks a nice trip for him having run well over a mile and a mile and a half. 'This looked the right place to bring him, down in class a bit, having run well in the Guineas and the Derby.' Two horses arrive on the back of just two runs, Andrew Balding's High Stock, who won the Wood Ditton before finishing second in the Dee Stakes at Chester, and Roger Varian's Jackknife. He was an impressive winner on debut before finishing third in the Heron Stakes at Sandown. 'We've been very pleased with him, I was delighted with him in the Heron, he finished his race off really well after meeting a bit of trouble,' Varian told Sky Sports Racing. 'Oisin (Murphy) thought the step up to 10 furlongs and better ground would suit him. He's a lovely horse, not only for this week but beyond.' James Ferguson's Glittering Legend made big strides in the spring and is another of note, along with William Haggas' Arabian Force, who has seen his form boosted in recent days. While the Ribblesdale Stakes perhaps lacks an established star, Paddy Twomey's Catalina Delcarpio still has plenty of time to develop into one. Unraced at two, she made a winning debut before being beaten into second in the Salsabil Stakes. Twomey said: 'We're looking forward to the race. Catalina won well on debut and then ran well again in the Salsabil Stakes. 'She's trained well since and we're looking forward it. 'She's run well in both her runs and she's bred to be a middle-distance filly and we're really looking forward to the race.' The Balding-trained Serenity Prayer, second in the Musidora at York, has a similar profile. In the Norfolk Stakes, O'Brien's Charles Darwin is a short price to take his record to three out of four, although there are plenty of lively challengers. Wathnan Racing are well represented with Karl Burke's Naval Light, who caught the eye when second on debut, and Sandal's Song, trained in America by George Weaver. Of Naval Light, Wathnan's Richard Brown said: 'I think there will be much more to come and he fell out the stalls at Beverley and then was given the perfect ride for a debut by Sam James, who was very patient with him. 'Although the gaps didn't come for him to win the race, when they did open and he gave him a small flick he started to fly and galloped out very strongly.' Of Sandal's Song, he added: 'He won impressively at Gulfstream for the team who brought Crimson Advocate over to win a couple of years ago. 'He's settled in well at the National Stud and we know these American raiders have to be taken seriously.'
