The Irish flat season gets under way at the Curragh tomorrow with Aidan O'Brien firing a very early salvo from his classic arsenal in the shape of the 2,000 Guineas favourite Stravinsky.
The Nureyev colt was cut to 5 to 1 favourite for the Newmarket classic last week ahead of his Dewhurst Stakes conqueror Mujahid. Tie that betting activity in with Sheikh Mohammed's decision to prepare Stravinsky's Prix Salamandre conqueror Aljabr for the Kentucky Derby and the classic omens look good.
The fact that Stravinsky is obviously forward enough for a race at this stage of the season, in the seven furlong Loughbrown Race, is also encouraging but hardly surprising.
Stravinsky's three races last year showed him to be a physically mature type with precocious ability and a devastating turn of foot. His two Group 1 defeats after a York success were blamed on soft ground, something he will have to face again tomorrow.
Nevertheless, O'Brien was in expectant form yesterday and said: "Stravinsky is well and ready for a trip away from home. The ground will not be ideal for a horse with his stride but considering the wet winter we have had I am happy enough with him."
Despite having to give weight away, Stravinsky's Guineas backers will be expecting an impressive victory tomorrow but the colt is hardly likely to be knocked around if the race comes down to a struggle.
Dermot Weld's Tipperary winner River Canyon and the Beresford Stakes third Tarfaa will be waiting to take advantage if it does come down to a slog but considering his reputation and classic pretensions, Stravinsky should ensure it doesn't come to that.
As for other Ballydoyle classic hopefuls like the Group 1 winners Orpen, Lavery and Sunspangled, O'Brien said yesterday that he will have a clearer idea next week as to when they will reappear. However, there are also some lofty expectations for the Sadlers Wells colt Saffron Waldon who has his second start in the mile maiden tomorrow.
Always spoken of in the same breath as the top juveniles of 1998, Saffron Waldon made his only start in the Killavullan Stakes behind Athlumney Lady. Substantial improvement is expected as a three-year-old and despite 26 opponents, Saffron Waldon has to be the choice.
Financially, the £33,000 Irish Lincolnshire is the big opening day pot and typically it will prove a stiff test for punters who will be hoping to scoop some of a jackpot pool which is forecast to hit the £50,000 mark.
History is against last year's winner Tarry Flynn following up as no horse has won the Lincoln twice in the last 50 years but considering that Dermot Weld's string are reported to be well forward, that Tarry Flynn will get his ground and is also only rated 4lb higher than last year, it is easy to see him at least hitting the frame.
Dorans Pride has made an admirable habit of hitting the frame throughout his illustrious jumping career but faces an unusual challenge in the concluding Kildare Race. Dorans Pride should bounce back from his Gold Cup disappointment but preference is for Bayling who should go well at a decent price.
Jim Gorman won the opening race of the season last year with Cobourg Lodge and bids for a repeat with Bens Secret. Punters are largely in the dark here but O'Brien's Fairy King colt King Of Connaught is the preferred of three Ballydoyle entries and Festina Famosa must also be respected.
Preference, however, is for the filly Yara who has been impressing judges on the Curragh recently while Hopping Higgins, returned to Ireland following a year with Richard Hannon, can bounce back and make all in the Ballymany Handicap.
The emphasis is very much on quantity at Wexford this afternoon where an eight race card has a £5,000 jackpot guarantee.
Two Limerick winners Janiste and the hunter chaser Sheltering can be fancied in their respective races and in the concluding leg of the jackpot, the O'Loughlin Flat Race, Gortmore Mews is selected to win for the Curragh trainer Kevin O'Brien.
This one was a close fifth behind Champagne Native at Naas a fortnight ago and should improve significantly for that.
