7.40 Curragh
Akeed Mofeed: As highly rated as Born To Sea from the same
yard last season, drawing right away in the
style of a group class horse when winning his maiden, an impression he
confirmed when a good second to David Livingston in the Beresford Stakes; That
race turned into a bit of a slog on heavy ground, which didn’t allow Akeed
Mofeed to show his superiority that day, but he cut a gap of two lengths to a half-length
at the finish and still retains a lot of potential; Worry is that he’s been
held up ever since and this his first run of the year, while suspicion is he
hates this ground.
Astrology: Stepped up majorly on his two year old form when
running away with Dee Stakes (not much of a race) before superb third in Derby
under front running ride; Then sent to Royal Ascot but that clearly too soon
afterwards when beaten early after turn in, and this will be same story after
just eight more days.
Born To Sea: Highly rated (full brother to champion Sea The
Stars) and had been making good fist of living upto reputation to be fair to
him, atoning for Guineas disappointments with better efforts the last twice in
Irish Guineas her and then in St James’s Place Stakes (should have been closer
on both occasions); Steps up in trip markedly here and not sure we’ll see best
of him on this ground just after a hard race at Royal Ascot.
Camelot: Confirmed himself the unrivalled top 3 year old
colt with authoritative and impressive Derby win at Epsom to follow the immense
promise that his wins in Racing Post Trophy and 2,000 Guineas gave; This should
be a formality based on that form but slight worry over what heavy ground presents
for him and avoidable from a betting point of view on that basis.
Imperial Monarch: Looked a horse with a future when winning
first two starts (maiden and Group 3 at Sandown, both of which have gone onto
work out well), with more in hand than winning distance suggests on both
occasions; Sent to French Derby last time and shaped as best horse in the race
when one of worst affected by barging that took place at the end of the home
straight, being shuffled back to last before rattling home for eighth; May well
have won that day with better passage and this trip sure to be up his street,
with ground no problem; Rates a massive threat.
Light Heavy: Impressive progress made this season after his
third on only 2yo start, winning two Derby trials in contrasting styles after
impressive reappearance win at Leopardstown; Looks a good horse but not sure
about him on soft ground (despite the fact he’s improved since 2nd on
debut) and up in trip despite pedigree; Others preferred.
Speaking Of Which: Hugely impressive when spread-eagling the
opposition in the Gallinule Stakes last time, drawing right up the straight to
win by 9 lengths from lower ranked Ballydoyle runner Soon; Not hard to think he
could be even better than that and did look a Group 1 horse there, so a disappointment
in some ways that the rain has come to cast a doubt over his chances; One to
watch.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (group 1) (Class 1) (3YO only)
Winner €725,000
Akeed Mofeed: As highly rated as Born To Sea from the same
yard last season, drawing right away in the
style of a group class horse when winning his maiden, an impression he
confirmed when a good second to David Livingston in the Beresford Stakes; That
race turned into a bit of a slog on heavy ground, which didn’t allow Akeed
Mofeed to show his superiority that day, but he cut a gap of two lengths to a half-length
at the finish and still retains a lot of potential; Worry is that he’s been
held up ever since and this his first run of the year, while suspicion is he
hates this ground. Astrology: Stepped up majorly on his two year old form when
running away with Dee Stakes (not much of a race) before superb third in Derby
under front running ride; Then sent to Royal Ascot but that clearly too soon
afterwards when beaten early after turn in, and this will be same story after
just eight more days. Born To Sea: Highly rated (full brother to champion Sea The
Stars) and had been making good fist of living upto reputation to be fair to
him, atoning for Guineas disappointments with better efforts the last twice in
Irish Guineas her and then in St James’s Place Stakes (should have been closer
on both occasions); Steps up in trip markedly here and not sure we’ll see best
of him on this ground just after a hard race at Royal Ascot. Camelot: Confirmed himself the unrivalled top 3 year old
colt with authoritative and impressive Derby win at Epsom to follow the immense
promise that his wins in Racing Post Trophy and 2,000 Guineas gave; This should
be a formality based on that form but slight worry over what heavy ground presents
for him and avoidable from a betting point of view on that basis. Imperial Monarch: Looked a horse with a future when winning
first two starts (maiden and Group 3 at Sandown, both of which have gone onto
work out well), with more in hand than winning distance suggests on both
occasions; Sent to French Derby last time and shaped as best horse in the race
when one of worst affected by barging that took place at the end of the home
straight, being shuffled back to last before rattling home for eighth; May well
have won that day with better passage and this trip sure to be up his street,
with ground no problem; Rates a massive threat. Light Heavy: Impressive progress made this season after his
third on only 2yo start, winning two Derby trials in contrasting styles after
impressive reappearance win at Leopardstown; Looks a good horse but not sure
about him on soft ground (despite the fact he’s improved since 2nd on
debut) and up in trip despite pedigree; Others preferred. Speaking Of Which: Hugely impressive when spread-eagling the
opposition in the Gallinule Stakes last time, drawing right up the straight to
win by 9 lengths from lower ranked Ballydoyle runner Soon; Not hard to think he
could be even better than that and did look a Group 1 horse there, so a disappointment
in some ways that the rain has come to cast a doubt over his chances; One to
watch.
VERDICT: This revolves around Camelot, who has confirmed the
superstar impression he gave us at two with wins in the 2,000 Guineas and the
Derby, looking like a potential top notcher when making up several lengths upon
Astrology in the latter and winning easily in the end. The withdrawal of Imperial Monarch - a horse who has no end of talent along with a love of testing ground based on his first two wins - has rendered the race completely useless from a betting perspective for me personally, and it's to be hoped that we see a Camelot win - and an easy one at that - along with Imperial Monarch sooner rather than later.
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