Greats such as Rheingold, Dahlia, In The Wings, Carnegie, Helissio and Montjeu have taken the Grand Prix, and I am delighted that an old friend has chosen the race as the highlight of his stag weekend. Lucarno, the St Leger winner, will have to improve a deal on his return effort at Sandown and provided Christophe Soumillon keeps things simple on Soldier of Fortune - he has pacemaker Song of Hiawatha to help - then he should give O'Brien his first win in a race that has an illustrious roll of honour. Best when coming late off a strong pace, Youmzain could not reach the leaders when fifth here last year.ĭoctor Dino edged out Zambezi Sun and Not Just Swing at Chantilly and was in front of Youmzain in Dubai in March, when Youmzain may not have been suited by a change in his usual tactics. Youmzain, who finished in front of him in the Arc last year and was only three-quarters of a length down at Epsom, has a great chance on paper, but probably does not win as many races as he should, given his talent. Short-priced favourites have been beaten in this race for the past three years, but it is hard to oppose Soldier of Fortune, who looked as though he had improved over the winter. It, too, has a feel of an Epsom rematch, with Soldier of Fortune again taken on by Youmzain and Getaway, who chased him home in the Coronation Cup. At 14-1 he is worth a bet.Įven if New Approach does make the line-up, France's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is every bit as interesting as the race at The Curragh. He ran a fine race when splitting New Approach and Henrythenavigator in the Futurity at The Curragh in August and he goes well for Fran Berry. In my view, had Jamie Spencer been able to ride him as he wanted, he would have been challenging Casual Conquest for third place. Nothing much went right for Luca Cumani's colt and he was unable to handle the unconventional camber in the Epsom home straight. I think that either of the first two home at Epsom are the likeliest winners, yet, watching re-runs of the Derby, I am drawn to Curtain Call at a decent each-way price. ![]() Washington Irving was hammered by Casual Conquest at Leopardstown the time before. ![]() Johnny Murtagh's decision to pick Derby sixth Alessandro Volta over fifth Washington Irving of the Aidan O'Brien challengers must be respected, although neither looks likely to reverse placings with the others from Epsom.
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