Again leads a strong Wachman challenge

RACING NEWS:DAVID WACHMAN looks like being mob-handed in his pursuit of a first ever Classic success in Sunday's Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas with the Group One winner Again leading a possible team of four into the Curragh highlight, writes BRIAN O'CONNOR

The Moyglare Stud Stakes winner missed out on a tilt at the Newmarket Guineas due to fast ground earlier this month but with conditions sure to be very different on Sunday Wachman is targeting a Classic attempt.

Although a five-time Group One winner – Damson (2004 Phoenix Stakes), Luas Line (2005 Garden City Handicap), Bushranger (2008 Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes) and Again (2008 Moyglare) – Wachman has yet to taste Classic success.

However, the 37-year-old Co Tipperary-based trainer is rated as low as 5 to 2 favourite by the big-race sponsors to change that statistic with Again.

“It was frustrating not being able to run at Newmarket but the ground got just that bit too fast on the day,” Wachman said yesterday.

“She is in great form and provided everything is okay during the week she will run. I was happy to run her first time out at Newmarket so I will be happy about that at the Curragh too.”

The trio of Chintz, Always Be True and Love Bird also featured among the 21 entries left in the 1,000 Guineas at yesterday’s confirmation stage, which also included the Newmarket runner-up Cuis Ghaire as well as the Brian Meehan-trained supplementary entry, Super Sleuth, who ran third behind Ghanaati.

Wachman added: “If everything is good I could see all of them running. We know they all go on soft ground. Chintz won the CL Weld Park Stakes on soft ground and Love Bird won her maiden at the Curragh on heavy. Always Be True won on yielding at Gowran, but I know she will go on softer.”

Aidan O’Brien has left in the Newmarket Guineas-fourth Heart Shaped who Johnny Murtagh picked over Again on the run-up to the British Classic. However, with ground conditions heavy overall at the Curragh yesterday, a change of jockey could take place this weekend.

A total of four cross-channel-trained runners remain in the Guineas as they chase a first British victory in the fillies Classic since Attraction in 2004. As well as Super Sleuth they also include the Fred Darling winner Lahaleeb.

Sunday’s other Group One contest, the Tattersalls Gold Cup, has 10 possible runners with Thewayyouare, fourth in the Prix Ganay on his first run for Aidan O’Brien, already confirmed a runner.

Dermot Weld has the option of running both Famous Name and Casual Conquest in the 10-furlong feature and despite a surprise defeat in the Jockey Club Stakes earlier this month, Casual Conquest looks a likely participant.

“He is still in there and I am sure he is going to run but we need to see how he does a little bit tomorrow before we decide,” said Stan Cosgrove, manager of the Moyglare Stud that owns Casual Conquest.

“He has come on for his run the last time,” added Cosgrove.

Also engaged in the Tattersalls is last year’s Epsom Derby runner-up Tartan Bearer as well as Godolphin’s Campanologist who landed the King Edward VII Stakes in 2008.

Jim Bolger has left his star filly Lush Lashes in the race but she also has a Group Three option for her over a mile on Saturday.

A total of 13 remain in the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes on Sunday including the 2,000 Guineas entry Fergus McIver who has been placed twice behind the Derby favourite, Fame And Glory, this season.

BETTING:(Boylesports): 5-2 Again, 4 Cuis Ghaire and Super Sleuth 5 Heart Shaped, 9 Lahaleeb, 12 Chintz, 14 Luminous Eyes and Oh Goodness Me, 16 Bar.