Henry de Bromhead is set to have his first runner in a Group One on the Flat in Britain at Royal Ascot after supplementing Flirting Bridge for the Coronation St
Ground key to Miss Amuletâs Curragh Classic challenge
Mon 17 May 2021
Miss Amuletâs Irish 1,000 Guineas bid hinges on going conditions after heavy ground scuppered her run in the French version of the race on Sunday.
The filly was an intended starter in ParisLongchampâs Poule dâEssai des Pouliches â the French 1000 Guineas â but very soft going at the Paris track put paid to that plan.
The race was supposed to be the greyâs opening run of the season, with heavy rainfall in both England and Ireland leaving conditions closer to home similarly dubious for a horse that favours good ground.
Mother Earth aiming to back up Newmarket victory in France
Sat 15 May 2021
Mother Earth must see off a strong challenge from both the home contingent and fellow travellers as she bids for a Classic double in the Emirates Poule dâEssai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp.
Aidan OâBrienâs 1000 Guineas heroine will seek to add the French equivalent to her expanding CV on Sunday â and her trainer anticipates that, whether she follows up on not, her performance will also provide clues to future assignments.
Among Mother Earthâs most prominent rivals this weekend are Andre Fabreâs unbeaten filly
Philomene, Kildare trainer Ken Condonâs returning Group Two winner
Deep down, I suspect everyone knows they should be tipping and backing the favourite
Santa Barbara, such is the outrageously positive chat coming out of Ballydoyle in what could well be a substandard Classic.
It is as if Aidan O Brien has released the handbrake on the bland caution he has hitherto employed when discussing his horses and it has
enthralled and lured in everyone, including the market.
But how can any pundit or punter take themselves seriously if they do decide with the Curragh maiden winner (even at her bigger exchange price)
solely on the basis of the trainer chat, and who knows how this super-worker will react if having to get down and dirty and off the bridle here?
Ken Condon outlines Classic aims for Thunder Beauty and Miss Amulet
Thu 15 Apr 2021
Ken Condon is preparing both Thunder Beauty and Miss Amulet for tilts at Guineas glory â with Thunder Beauty heading to Newmarket and Miss Amulet bound for France.
Thunder Beauty made a big impression on her racecourse debut at the Curragh last summer before going on to finish fifth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and seventh in the Prix Marcel Boussac in Paris.
The Night Of Thunder filly will be an outsider for the Qipco 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile on May 2, but Condon believes she could outrun her odds.