Black-Type Analysis: Irish Redemption For Field Of Gold?

[Wandering Eyes]

Saturday, Curragh, post time: 15:40, TATTERSALLS IRISH 2,000 GUINEAS STAKES-G1, €290,000, 3yo, c/f, 8fT

Field: Comanche Brave (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Officer (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Windlord (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold is the obvious pick on that form, which is generally key to this contest. He had glided in and out of the track's infamous dip in the Craven, but that was on easier ground than he encountered in the main event and it probably caught him and Kieran Shoemark out heading downhill. His finishing Hawk Wing-like surge marked him out as one of the Classic's more talented protagonists of recent times and if this comes down to talent alone he is home and hosed. His achilles heel is the widest draw and so Colin Keane may have to drop out and play on his killer kick, hoping for a strong pace which may not unfold. Aidan O'Brien's runners lack the usual oomph of the stable's Irish Guineas runners and perhaps the continued absence of Twain is coming at a cost, so the lead Irish hope could turn out to be Hotazhell. His sire is having one of those streaks at the moment and with a kind draw the G1 Futurity Trophy hero could get near the lead and play catch-me-if-you-can.

Saturday, Haydock, post time: 15:30, BETFRED TEMPLE STAKES-G2, £125,000, 3yo/up, 5fT

Field: Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), American Affair (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}), Law Of Average (GB) (Pearl Secret {GB}), Rumstar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Twilight Calls (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), Washington Heights (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}), Electric Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Mgheera (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), She's Quality (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Vadream (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), Grande Marques (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

TDN Verdict: Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Starlust has a stopping five-pound penalty to defy as well as being ring-rusty on this comeback, so a win would represent a significant achievement. Most of these are clustered tight together on form, with the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges scorer Mgheera possibly the one with the most upside. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Haydock, post time: 15:00, BETFRED SANDY LANE STAKES-G2, £125,000, 3yo, 6fT

Field: Ain't Nobody {Ire}) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Candy (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Dash Dizzy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Kullazain (GB) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Symbol Of Honour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Arabian Dusk (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), First Instinct (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Some G1 Commonwealth Cup hopes are put to the test and while Godolphin's Listed Carnarvon Stakes winner Symbol Of Honour won't be one of them given he is a gelding, he serves a dual purpose for connections. Here on merit after Saturday's impressive Newbury win, he will also provide a measure of what's in waiting for Shadow Of Light if he takes in the Royal sprint. This sees the return of the unbeaten G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Powerful Glory, while the likes of the G3 Molecomb Stakes and G3 Pavilion Stakes winner Big Mojo lend the required gravity. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Curragh, post time: 15:05, WEATHERBYS IRELAND GREENLANDS STAKES-G2, €72,000, 4yo/up, 6fT

Field: Big Gossey (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}), Grand Grey (Ire) (Havana Grey {GB}), Iberian (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Lethal Levi (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), My Mate Alfie (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Storm Boy (Aus) (Justify), Easy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: This sees the keenly-awaited European debut of Storm Boy, who bids to emulate the last Australian Ballydoyle recruit in this sphere, Merchant Navy, in winning this en route to Royal Ascot glory. Marginally the best of these on his Southern Hemisphere form, he might need the intro which could leave him vulnerable to the likes of Iberian, an unexposed sprinter who has shown class when winning the G2 Champagne Stakes as a 2-year-old. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Klampenborg, Denmark, post time: 16:00, DE 5 STJERNER SCANDINAVIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP-G3, DKr450,000, 3yo/up, 12fT

Field: Irish Fire (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Ami De Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Ready Teddy (Ire) (Maxios {GB}), Hard One To Please (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), Mozart (Den) (Le Havre {Ire}), Ray's Moon (Swe) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Go On Carlras (Swe) (Harzand {Ire}), Greenland (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

Saturday, Goodwood, post time: 14:05, BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF COCKED HAT STAKES-Listed, £60,000, 3yo, c/g, 11f 44yT

Field: Amiloc (GB) (Postponed {Ire}), Basalt (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Opportunity (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Palazzo Blu (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Seaplane (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), Sir Dinadan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Amiloc sets the standard on his clear-cut win in the track's John Dunlop Conditions Stakes earlier this month and that was over a mile, so who knows what he could achieve over a trip that is sure to suit on pedigree? William Haggas believes that the Haydock winner Opportunity could yet make the Derby and that will be good enough for most, while the Gosdens have an affinity with this prize and rely on Tycoon who carries the Stradivarius silks. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Goodwood, post time: 15:15, BETGOODWIN HEIGHT OF FASHION STAKES-Listed, £60,000, 3yo, f, 9f 197yT

Field: Janey Mackers (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Manila Thriller (GB) (Rumble Inthejungle {GB}), Music Piece (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Never Let Go (GB) (No Nay Never), Perfect Your Craft (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Queen Of Thieves (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Rhapsody (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Star Of Light (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Trad Jazz (GB) (Sea The Moon Ger}), Victoria Harbour (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Ralph Beckett's 3-year-olds have just started to get going based on the excellent efforts of Pride Of Arras and Revoir last week, so the yard's unbeaten filly Perfect Your Craft must be respected in this late Oaks prep. This will be a much more suitable trip for Rhapsody than the mile over which she reappeared at Kempton in March and she could take a significant step forward. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Bordeaux-Le Bouscat, France, post time: 14:50, 169TH DERBY DU MIDI-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 9 1/2fT

Field: Ghawar (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), Nizam (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Poschiavo (Fr) (Mehmas (Ire), Brise Noir (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), Spanish Prince (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Euskadi (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Dumonet (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Wand And Power (Ire) (Without Parole {GB}), Without (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Biak Lescribaa (Fr) (Robin Of Navan {Fr}), Thordis (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Dumonet returns to the course and distance of his defeat of Poschiavo and stablemate Ghawar in the Prix Daniel Guestier conditions event last month. Brise Noir is sent across the Channel after his Windsor novice success, while the impressive Prix Torrestrella conditions event winner Want And Power adds intrigue. [Tom Frary].

Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:40, TATTERSALLS IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS-G1, €290,000, 3yo, f, 8fT

Field: Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), City Of Memphis (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Jaliyah (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Tamam Desert (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).

TDN Verdict: If it rains a lot, last year's champion Lake Victoria could be vulnerable with stamina for a stiff mile on easy ground not assured. That could open things up for the 1,000 Guineas runner-up Flight, but she had a tough race there and has to bounce back in a relatively short space of time against fresh rivals. One of those is the meticulously-prepared Swelter, winner of Leopardstown's 1,000 Guineas Trial in March who has been given time to get over those exploits by Dermot Weld. That could be a smart move given that the dam Hot Snap beat Sky Lantern handsomely in the Nell Gwyn all those years ago before bombing out behind her in the 1,000 Guineas. [Tom Frary].

Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:05, TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP-G1, €300,000, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT

Field: Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: There are at least two strands to this renewal, with one being the G2 Mooresbridge Stakes rematch between Los Angeles and White Birch and the other being how Juddmonte's G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Kalpana and Shadwell's G1 Champion Stakes hero Anmaat impact the race. If the expected rain comes, the latter becomes very interesting but at the same time that makes it more of a stamina test which will suit the humourless galloper Los Angeles. There is no obvious classy Prince of Wales's type in this at first sight and this is a division that is crying out for something to make a mark. [Tom Frary].

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:45, PRIX D'ISPAHAN-G1, €250,000, 4yo/up, 9 1/4fT

Field: Horizone Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Sardinian Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Carabelito (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Dare To Dream (Fr) (Camelot {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Sosie looks to book his ticket to the Eclipse, having taken the G1 Prix Ganay on his seasonal bow, and add a third top-level success to his resume. The Gosdens have spotted an opportunity with the Listed Paradise Stakes winner Sardinian Warrior and he could well be up to this kind of test while last year's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka really needs to start delivering having underwhelmed each time she has appeared since that Newmarket Classic. [Tom Frary].

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:28, PRIX VICOMTESSE VIGIER-G1, €400,000, 4yo/up, 15 1/2fT

Field: Candelari (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}), Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Internaute (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Rouge Sellier (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: With its proximity to the Gold Cup, the upgrading of this old favourite is one of the season's mysteries but there are some stalwarts here including the dual G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Double Major. Sevenna's Knight won this in its former guise as a Group 2 last year and may not have had to improve to do so again, but Godolphin's Dubai Future is unexposed as a stayer after his G2 Dubai Gold Cup success. [Tom Frary].

Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany, post time: 16:38, HORN & COMPANY – 105TH GERMAN 1000 GUINEAS-G2, €125,000, 3yo, f, 8fT

Field: Anshoda (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), D'Ores Et Deja (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Flaming Stone (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Lady Ilze (GB) (Territories {Ire}), Pershing (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), Place Fontenoy (Fr) (War Command), Quebec (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Santagada (GB) (Soldier Hollow {GB}).

TDN Verdict: After mixing it with the likes of Mandanaba, Gezora and Audubon Park in her native France, Flaming Stone could find this a picnic but last week's German 2,000 Guineas told us that it is never wise to underestimate the domestic runners. They include Santagada, winner of Cologne's G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen, while another French raider D'Ores Et Deja has proven course-and-distance form having won the Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis. They are drawn one, two and three respectively in a Classic where that matters, with the standard-setting G3 Prestige Stakes winner Anshoda compromised in eight. [Tom Frary].

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 16:10, STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 2400mT

Field: Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), Cap Ferrat (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid), Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), Rubylot (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}), Five G Patch (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), La City Blanche (Arg) (Cityscape {GB}), Winning Dragon (Chi) (Ivan Denisovich {Ire}), Bundle Award (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}). Click here for the preview.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥286,000,000, 3yo, f, 2400mT

Field: Arma Veloce (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), Reve de l'Opera (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Paradis Reine (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ai Sansan (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Vip Daisy (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Lesedrama (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Saturday Sunrise (Jpn) (Declaration of War), Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Taisei Princesse (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Will Survive (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}), Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Tagano Abby (Jpn) (Animal Kingdom), Savonlinna (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Kamunyaki (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), Go So Far (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Click here for the preview.

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