Hot Property

[Wandering Eyes]

Sandown’s G3 188bet Solario S. may not be the most valuable race on another frantic Saturday in Europe, but it is one of the most keenly-anticipated as ‘TDN Rising Star’ Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) puts his credentials on the line. Just last year, Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) enhanced his reputation, much as Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) had four years earlier, in the race which served as nursery education for Raven’s Pass in 2007. Like the latter pair of headline acts, Too Darn Hot is in the hands of John Gosden and the son of Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) looked every bit as exciting a prospect as them when opening his account with a seven-length win over a mile here Aug. 9.

Standing in his way is Chasemore Farm’s unbeaten Listed Chesham S. winner Arthur Kitt (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who had three juveniles behind him in Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Natalie’s Joy (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who have subsequently underlined the worth of the form of the June 23 Royal Ascot contest. “He’s had a bit of a break. Sandown’s stiff finish will suit him, but he’ll need to travel better than he did in the Chesham,” jockey Richard Kingscote commented. “We know what’s in the tank, though, so I’d like to think he can improve. Tom [Dascombe] knows how to get them ready.”

Sovereign Rising Again…

Another ‘TDN Rising Star’ with a deservedly lofty status is Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) who is out just a week after his seven-length debut tour de force in the G3 John Sisk & Son Round Tower S. at The Curragh. That display over this six-furlong trip marked him as one of the special ones that Ballydoyle is so renowned for and it will be a let-down if he is unable to back it up here. “He seems to be fine. Obviously he only ran last week, but we’re happy with him,” Aidan O’Brien commented. “We’re looking at the Middle Park and we just felt that he needed another run before we went there. That was the reason for running. He hasn’t done much since last week, but he seems to be in good form.”

Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited’s acquisition Mia Mento (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) is put to the test by Tom Mullins following her debut success at Leopardstown July 19. “I wasn’t expecting Aidan to run the favourite, to be honest, but six furlongs is right up her alley,” he said. “She’s in great form and she’s gone long enough without a run, so I wanted to get her out. I was also keen to get some experience on The Curragh into her. This race comes at the right time. It means she’s taking on colts, but I’ve been very happy with her at home.”

The Curragh card’s G3 Flame of Tara Irish EBF S. is for the staying 2-year-olds, with Jim Bolger turning out Sunday’s G2 Debutante S. runner-up Bandiuc Eile (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). She meets ‘TDN Rising Star’ Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}), who is upped to a mile after her latest third in the venue’s G3 Anglesey S. over an extended six furlongs July 21.

At Chantilly, the G3 Prix d’Arenberg is for the speed merchants, with a trio of British raiders looking to hold a grip on the five-furlong test. Clipper Logistics’ June 23 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner and G3 Molecomb S. third Soldier’s Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) is joined by the fillies Second Generation (GB) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Queen of Bermuda (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), already successful in France in Vichy’s Listed Prix des Reves d’Or July 19 and the Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge at Deauville Aug. 15, respectively.

Smart Mares With Chances To Shine…

‘TDN Rising Star’ Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) reverts to a mile for Sandown’s G3 188Bet Atalanta S., having been too keen when third in the G1 Nassau S. over a mile and a quarter at Goodwood last time Aug. 2. Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, said of the 3-year-old, “She probably did a bit too much during the early part of the race at Goodwood. That was the first proper race that she’s ever had. I think she’s come on for the run, Sir Michael’s happy with her.” Interestingly, John Gosden pitches Godolphin’s Laugh Aloud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) into smart company as she returns from a lay-off having last been seen winning Epsom’s G3 Princess Elizabeth S. in impressive fashion.

Back at The Curragh, the 3-year-old and older fillies and mares get the chance to shine in the nine-furlong G3 Snow Fairy Fillies S. where Godolphin’s Mary Tudor (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) is the latest to put the form of the July 21 G1 Irish Oaks under inspection. Her third behind Sea of Class (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in that 12-furlong Classic already looks rock-solid and trainer Willie McCreery is hoping the grey can translate it to this sharper test. “It was pleasing to see Sea of Class win so well last week,” he said. “Mary Tudor seems in great form and this race seemed the perfect one to lead us into Irish Champions Weekend and the [G2] Blandford S. The ground should be lovely. The trip is a little bit short of her best, but she did run well over 10 furlongs at Navan and Naas earlier in the season.”

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