I have compiled a list of 12 Irish horses that it should pay to follow over the weeks and months ahead, a few of which may well have gone under the radar.
Battleground – AP O’Brien
Battleground didn’t exactly burst onto the scene in an emphatic fashion last year. Beaten two-and-a-half lengths on his debut at Naas, the son of War Front was always going to improve for lightning-quick ground though. Considered good enough to contest the Chesham at Royal Ascot, he showed dramatic improvement to get the better of March Law and Seattle Rock to record a cosy victory over the pair. He built on that the following month when he was sent to Goodwood for the Vintage Stakes over seven furlongs and despite being badly drawn and having raced wide throughout, Ryan Moore was still able to coax him home in front of Devious Company and Youth Spirit. Following a three-month break, a trip to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland came next. Despite avoiding most of the scrimmaging early doors, he was always playing catch-up to the winner Fire At Will. Three lengths separated the pair in the end but Ryan Moore justifiably satisfied that there would be better to come. He holds entries in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas as well as the Irish Derby and should make an impact in Group One races this season.
Shandra – Dermot Weld
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2021-Ausgabe von Racing Ahead.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2021-Ausgabe von Racing Ahead.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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HENRY'S A REALLY GOOD FELLOW!
Paul Jacobs backs Aidan O'Brien's silver starlet to shine this summer
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Ben Hastie looks at life after racing for stars of the track
LOCKED ON TO JOLLIES
Andy Newton analyses trends in Newbury highlight bookies fear
TOTS OF THE TURF SHOWING PROMISE
lan Heitman stumbles across some gems at the Curragh and Doncaster
APPLEBY'S SPEECH STRIKES RIGHT NOTE
Andy Ayres has keen eye on Guineas fancy
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Karl Hedley looks at Ireland's young speedsters ready to fly the flag on the Flat
AINT BAD AT ALL BUT UP FOR A FLAT PROFIT
Ben Morgan looks back on his jumps festival punting highlights and onwards to three big Flat fancies
CRAIC'S GRAND BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER
Simon Nott tracks the Grand National bookies each side of the Irish Sea for his Tales from the Ring
NO REGRETS, NO SECRETS - AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Nick Townsend talks to jockey Kieran Shoemark about his winning battles on the track and off it
TEN TO FOLLOW AS WE HIT A NEW LEVEL
Paul Ferguson offers his selection of Flat stars to follow this season