GIOVEDÌ 25 GIUGNO 2015. Programmi classici e non solo. Jack Hobbs caldo favorito dell’Irish Derby di sabato. Conferme per le Eclipse del 4 Luglio
Lady Cecil si ritira a fine 2015. Si conclude una era a Warren Place, strutture acquistate da Sheikh Mohammed?
Francia: Domenica Treve a Saint Cloud, lunedì Fly On The Night a Chantilly. Vittorie per Demurino, Rispoli e Simone Brogi
Hobbs can end British drought in Irish Derby
JOHN GOSDEN pays his first visit to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby striving to provide the first British-trained winner of the Classic in 22 years with Jack Hobbs.
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Having wrested the Investec Derby from three years of Aidan O’Brien dominance, he will attempt capture a trophy that has not left Ireland since 2005 and not gone to a British stable since Commander In Chief triumphed in 1993.
Gosden, who has only had two runners in the race, won the Derby with Golden Horn who heads to the Coral-Eclipse Stakes next and is represented by the colt who filled second spot at Epsom in Jack Hobbs.
Jack Hobbs, 50 per cent owned by Godolphin, is the odds-on favourite to emulate Treasure Beach, who won the race in 2011 after finishing runner-up in the Derby.
Gosden said: “Jack Hobbs has thrived since Epsom. Like everyone else we would prefer good ground so it was nice to see that they had some rain on Thursday night.
“He’s still a young horse who is tall and rangy and handled Epsom very well all things considered. There is an unbeaten one in there [Radanpour] who could be anything.”
O’Brien has swept all before him with 11 Irish Derby wins and but for the intervention of Trading Leather in 2013, would be on the trail of a tenth consecutive win.
In contrast, Ryan Moore has yet to win the Curragh showpiece but rides O’Brien’s well-fancied Highland Reel, backed from 8-1 earlier in the week to 9-2 second favourite.
The Prix du Jockey Club runner-up is one of four Ballydoyle-trained contenders for the 150th running of Ireland’s premier Classic.
Highland Reel’s stablemate Qualify, the Oaks winner, will be attempting to become the first winning filly since Balanchine in 1994.
O’Brien’s other runners are Giovanni Canaletto, fourth in the Derby, and Kilimanjaro who finished two places behind him.
“Highland Reel has been in good form since his run at Chantilly,” said O’Brien.
“He’s stepping up a bit further in distance but Joseph [O'Brien] rode him in France and he thought he would have every chance of getting the longer trip.
“Giovanni Canaletto’s preparation for Epsom wasn’t ideal and wasn’t what we planned with the Derby coming quite soon after his run in the Gallinule Stakes. He ran quite well and you’d hope, and expect, some improvement. He hasn’t done a lot since Epsom but he’s in good form.”
O’Brien added: “The step up to a mile and a half in the Oaks certainly seemed to suit Qualify. The distance at the Curragh presents a different sort of test and we’ll have to see how she gets on.”
Of Kilimanjaro, who completes the quartet, O’Brien said: “We were quite happy with the way he ran at Epsom. He stays well and we think the Curragh will suit him.”
Derby third Storm The Stars is also in contention for a race set to be run on fast ground.
Officials at the Curragh were monitoring the ground situation on Friday evening with a view to possibly watering the track after racing.
Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: “We’ll see how much the ground dries out during the evening and make a decision about watering. It’s beautiful, safe good to firm ground to start with.”
Forgotten Rules (right): in a final field of seven for the Curragh Cup
PICTURE: Caroline Norris
Forgotten Rules set for quick return on Sunday
FORGOTTEN RULES, beaten favourite in last week’s Gold Cup, is in line for a quick return to action after appearing in a final field of seven for Sunday’s Group 3 At The Races Curragh Cup.
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The Dermot Weld-trained stayer lost his unbeaten record at Royal Ascot, after which connections put his third-place finish down to the quick ground and five-year-old’s inability to settle over the 2m4f trip.
A return to a shorter distance and a significant drop in class appear on the cards for Forgotten Rules, who will carry a 3lb penalty in the 1m6f contest.
Earlier in the week, Weld said on At The Races: “He’ll be back, he’s a very high-class horse and the trip was probably just a bridge too far.
“I’d say his next race will be one of the prep races for the Irish St Leger.”
Panama Hat, who racked up a five-timer last year, is the main threat on ratings, while Aidan O’Brien will saddle Bondi Beach and Order Of St George as he bids for a third straight victory in the race.
On the same card, a stellar field of nine has assembled for the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes with Guineas winners Legatissimo and Pleascach set for a fascinating clash.
The fillies’ feature will be more than just a match, however, as Brooch and Diamondsandrubies add strength to the home challenge and Ribbons and Secret Gesture fly the flag for Britain.
Sponsors Paddy Power have chalked up Legatissimo as 7-4 favourite as the David Wachman-trained filly drops back in trip after just failing to win the Investec Oaks last time.
Pleascach, who like Forgotten Rules finished placed at Royal Ascot when second in the Ribblesdale Stakes, is 9-2 joint-second favourite with the unbeaten Brooch.
fonte : RacingPost
