A DEWHURST Stakes gamble on Aidan O'Brien's Desert King from 6 to down to 7 to 2 at Newmarket yesterday was foiled when the Aga Khan National Stakes winner could only finish sixth in a tight finish to In Command. However, he ran a reasonably good race, like all the recent fancied two year old runners from this quarter.
At the Curragh this afternoon, he introduces a reportedly very smart American bred Plaza De Toros who carries the Michael Tabour colours in the Go Racing in Kildare European Breeders Fund Maiden.
The six furlongs will be short of his optimum trip as significantly O'Brien has accepted with him for the mile Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster later in the month but his class should carry him through.
Likewise, his stablemate, Johan Cruyff, who was beaten a total of one and a half lengths when filth to Desert King in the National Stakes, should be too strong for Animagic in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes even if Animagic's nine length Tralee win over Missigoni was advertised by the runner up at Roscommon this week.
Gerard Mosse gave Zafzala a very unenterprising ride in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp this month when she finished third to Annaba having come from the ruck too late to challenge.
Previously she had been disqualified from second place in the Prix Vermeille but her luck could turn in the Blandford Stakes where she meets an English challenger Sanoosea who has won only one maiden race so far but who was an adequate fourth to Definite Article and Timarida in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on 2,000 Guineas Day.
The October Handicap represents a re-run of the Irish Cesarewitch with the first four Miltonfield, Notcomplaining but, Antapoura and Academy House renewing combat.
I note that due to the presence of a new topweight. Akhiyar, the all round weight level has been lowered. This could militate against Miltonfield as he is now racing off 8-7 whereas last time Ted Durcan had to put up 1lb overweight when handicapped with 8-9.
Paddy Mullins versatile Notcomplainingbut could therefore profit from this situation to exact her revenge.
There is an all National Hunt eight race programme at Limerick tomorrow and while the feature is the Murphys Stout Munster National, the main attraction will be the reappearance of Dorans Pride.
Michael Hourigan has done well to get him back into training after his serious injury which kept him out of Cheltenham in March and if this star hurdler is reasonably straight in condition, he can win at first time of asking over fences. The one that would likely take advantage of any weakness is Consharon even if he is rated 41lbs below Dorans Pride over hurdles.
In the Munster National I take Second Schedual to give the McMahon family an over due big handicap win.
