Won last year by Micheal O' Callaghans Bleu De Vega,despite Aidan O' Brien having 8 of the 11 5 day decs. Aidan has 11 of the 19 decs this time around, numerically strong but little substance i think though that could be a dangerous assumption.
Lancaster Bomber(115) and Yucatan(112) are highest in the field in ratings,former through placed efforts against Churchill,Yucatan was a close up 2nd to Capri in a G2,the previous beating of Taj Mahal by a head is slightly off putting with him. Spirit Of Valor is the O'Brien "Joker" another rawish,green performance last weekend, hard to know with him though considering the amount of ground he gave away on debut against Bolgers entry Hollistic Approach should almost certainly beat him this time.
Ger Lyons has 2 decent entries, Territory might be the better of the pair.
Hard to judge how good Welds filly(Making Light) fine big yoke she pulverised a poorish field at Limerick in devasting manner.
Spanish Tenor had a very stylish maiden win at the Curragh last weekend and enter calculations.
At this stage before final decs are known my shortlist would be Spirit Of Valor,Spanish Tenor,Making Light and maybe Territory,hopefully a few of them don't take this up,will add to it after books price up,any thoughts welcome.
Pa, Capri is a fav of mine and although Yucatan only beat Taj by a head I'd still like the form . Taj is a bit of a boy imo ,Yucaton is a smashing looking horse and I'd be on his side if lining up...
Pa, Capri is a fav of mine and although Yucatan only beat Taj by a head I'd still like the form . Taj is a bit of a boy imo ,Yucaton is a smashing looking horse and I'd be on his side if lining up...
Hard to get that lot of entries right WR,don't dispute what you are saying with Yucatan,i think while it mightn't have beaten Capri(who finds) it could have given him a bit more of a scare but the "orders" were stuck to. To a lesser extent think the above also applies to Orderofthegarter. I never had any meas in Taj Mahal this season myself. Was surprised to see Galilean entered,it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see him in a St Leger.
Hard to get that lot of entries right WR,don't dispute what you are saying with Yucatan,i think while it mightn't have beaten Capri(who finds) it could have given him a bit more of a scare but the "orders" were stuck to.To a lesser extent think the a
If the Bolger horse runs it has every chance. Was very slow out of stalls and had to make up a lot of ground early to get a position and loads of improvement in him but very hard to read these Bolger horses. Backed Spanish Tenor the last few times but dont think he is up to this level!!!
If the Bolger horse runs it has every chance. Was very slow out of stalls and had to make up a lot of ground early to get a position and loads of improvement in him but very hard to read these Bolger horses. Backed Spanish Tenor the last few times
I'll probably go with Bolgers, he needs something to keep the arabs dreaming over the winter so presume he will be nice an wound up for this.
Normally like very lightly raced O'Brien horses in these, but don't really like spirit of Valor, and Yucaton looks a bit of a plodder. Any chance he runs something unraced and there is a monster gamble on it!
surprised they don't do it more often as there is nothing like winning a Gr 3 first time out to create hype.
I'll probably go with Bolgers, he needs something to keep the arabs dreaming over the winter so presume he will be nice an wound up for this.Normally like very lightly raced O'Brien horses in these, but don't really like spirit of Valor, and Yucaton
Yucatan,Finn McCool and Brutal declared for Doncaster's G1 Racing post Trophy,Yucatan f/c evens fav, what a terrible looking G1.
Odds against Spirit of Valour and Hollistic Approach both running,think it would be a good rematch though.
Yucatan,Finn McCool and Brutal declared for Doncaster's G1 Racing post Trophy,Yucatan f/c evens fav, what a terrible looking G1.Odds against Spirit of Valour and Hollistic Approach both running,think it would be a good rematch though.
Left with 9 and at least 6 of them look to have a chance , a nice but trappy looking race to me.
A dry forecast looks as if the ground could be on the goodish side.
I respect Making Light,Weld has won this twice in the last 6 years,she really could be anything, i'd be slow to dismiss Territory,Spanish Tenor and Born to Be either. Bolger did nominate this after that maiden,he did that well but i thought Spirit of Valour was even slower away BWS and his run almost consisted of an "S"shape in that he had to go over to the rails from a poor draw and came back out and ended up again on them. Aidans post race comments i thought were slightly negative after Naas in that he seemed a bit disappointed,he also said he thought that was it for the season but also said he thinks he would be better on good ground.
Horrible race to price up,love to see how the books look at it.
Left with 9 and at least 6 of them look to have a chance , a nice but trappy looking race to me.A dry forecast looks as if the ground could be on the goodish side.I respect Making Light,Weld has won this twice in the last 6 years,she really could be
The whole horrible scenario if Spirit of Valour wins tomorrow,Aidan may have got it wrong,it seems a more competitive race tomorrow and whoever wins may well have won today. Too many dangers for me overall.
The 26 runner 1m4f handicap looks an easier race, Elm Grove though on a handicap high looks as if he could run well particulary on the midweek Navan run. 14/1 is a hopeful half glass full ew.
Yucatan a plodder indeed.The whole horrible scenario if Spirit of Valour wins tomorrow,Aidan may have got it wrong,it seems a more competitive race tomorrow and whoever wins may well have won today. Too many dangers for me overall.The 26 runner 1m4f