RACING/Leopardstown and Listowel previews: High Chaparral takes the first step on an illustrious path in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown tomorrow.
By Brian O'Connor
Backed down to 10 to for the Epsom Derby on the back of a positive report from Aidan O'Brien on Thursday, the colt is being pitched in at the deep end in the Ballysax Stakes.
Last year, Galileo beat off Milan and Vinie Roe in the finish to the Listed contest and all three went on to become Classic winners.
The year before that, the Ballysax went to Grand Finale who just edged out a certain Sinndar on the line.
It's that renewal that could provide a clue to tomorrow.
Like Sinndar, High Chaparral has to concede a 7lb Group One penalty for that surprise Racing Post Trophy success last October.
The concession cannot be under-estimated. After all, it was enough to put the only blot on Sinndar's classic year.
"High Chaparral is a bit heavier than ideal but maybe that is him just maturing. He is in good form but he will improve for the race," O'Brien said.
However, it is significant that coming from relative obscurity last season, High Chaparral is now being touted as one of the principal Ballydoyle Derby hopes and has been given Ice Dancer as a lead horse.
"Ice Dancer was Galileo's work companion and he plays the same role for High Chaparral," reported O'Brien.
There are just six opponents to High Chaparral and the main danger could come from the Oxx pair, Tarifana and Chartres.
John Murtagh's decision to ride Tarifana must be significant but even first time out for the year, the O'Brien hope should be hard to beat.
Apart from Galileo, this card last year was a bit of a disaster for Ballydoyle with both Mozart and Imagine well beaten in the respective Guineas trials. But it looks like being a different story this time round.
For one thing, the 2,000 Guineas Trial favourite Century City has already had a run this season and should come on significantly for it.
Lahinch was a five furlong winner last season and should be sharp enough to book her place in the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas field.
O'Brien and Mick Kinane also look good to pick up the mile and a quarter maiden with the expensive Diaghilev who has yet to win but still boasts some reasonable Group form.
Jamie Spencer takes the responsibility on three Ballydoyle classic prsopects in Longchamp tomorrow with the Galway winner Canberra tackling the Criterium International victor Act One in the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe.
That's a recognised French Derby trial but the Coventry winner Landseer will take on some French Guineas possibles in the Prix de Fontainbleau. The filly Sophisticat takes her chance in the Prix de la Grotte.
On the home front, the busy Chimes At Midnight may have found a winning opportunity in the mile and a quarter handicap.
Fit from hurdling, and a reasonable fourth to Scottish Memories at Fairyhouse last time, the former Group Three winner has topweight but could still go well at a decent each way price.
Egyptian has been raised 5lb for a snug victory at the Curragh and could still be just ahead of the handicapper. The Oxx runner looks the pick in the three year old handicap.
Tony McCoy marked his return to action with an 11 to 4 double at Uttoxeter yesterday, to bring his total to 274.
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