The horse racing broadcaster offers his picks from the best of this weekend’s Irish racing.
SATURDAY
14:35
TORIVEGA
10/1
proved a bit disappointing when I had expected much better of him in the Wokingham last time but at a big price it might be worth giving him another chance. Sheila Lavery’s lightly-raced four year-old had previously shaped like the best horse in the race when third in a premier handicap at today’s venue.
15:05
BELIEVING
11/8
should capitalise on a drop in class to resume winning ways. The British raider performed well in back-to-back Group 1 events at Royal Ascot, latterly when fourth in the QEII Jubilee Stakes, and is probably best over the minimum trip.
15:40
Provided the ground doesn’t turn very testing, Ryan Moore’s decision to side with CONTENT
7/2
can pay dividends. A smart juvenile last season, the Galileo filly was a major eye-catcher when third on her first attempt over 1m2f in the Pretty Polly Stakes three weeks ago, finishing off strongly from the rear after meeting some trouble in running. That form looks stronger than stable-mate Port Fairy’s Ribblesdale success, though the latter is open to further improvement and merits respect. Purple Lily could be the best of the rest now that it appears the Irish 1000 Guineas fourth is set to take her chance.
17:25
It’s admittedly something of a concern that WHITE CLOVER
7/2
hasn’t been seen since May but if able to reproduce her Leopardstown third Joe Murphy’s charge ought to be mount a bold bid to open her account. On that occasion she was just two lengths off runner-up Apricot Ice, who has won both starts in the interim, and that form is probably as good as any on offer here.
SUNDAY
14:10
COWARDOFTHECOUNTY always seemed to be on the back foot in the Coventry Stakes last time but to his credit Joseph O’Brien’s colt stuck to his task to not be beaten far in seventh and that experience could stand to him now. Ground conditions should suit better this time as he returns to the scene of his debut defeat of the smart Whistlejacket, and the stable has hit a good vein of form of late. Babouche impressed when blowing away her rivals at Cork and will be no pushover.
15:15
LORD MASSUSUS looked right back to his best when scoring here last time and this likeable type is fancied to give his supporters another good run for their money. This may not be the strongest Group 2 ever run, though Mountain Bear will probably be hard to beat with a reproduction of his Jersey Stakes fourth.
16:55
SIDIZA shaped like a certain future winner when third on debut here on Guineas weekend and is sure to take plenty of beating for her first start since. A well-bred daughter of Sea The Stars, she was really getting the hang of things late on then and the first and second have shown the form in a very favourable light subsequently.
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