2017 Flat Issue 4 - One winner, lots of news

Headlines

Caravaggio Stars at Naas

Report

At Naas last Sunday in the 6f group 3, Caravaggio ( Bob, Cod, Neil, Peej, Tony), went to post, dwelt  and towards rear early, 5^th before ½ way, going well 2 out, pushed along in to 3^rd, over 1 out, ran on strongly to lead inside last, soon clear, winning easily by 4 ½ l. He gets 16.4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

               May          Total

Tony               142             142

Martin             90.9            90.9

Cliff                88.6               88.6    

Neil                 81.1             81.1

Bob                79.1               79.1

Steve                 65.6           65.6

Lee                  44.5               44.5

Peej                 28.4                28.4

 Cod                 16.4              16.4

News

Mirage Dancer has been ruled out of the Investec Derby but could still bid for Royal Ascot honours.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained son of Frankel won on his only start as a juvenile last year and returned to action with a fair fourth behind Derby favourite Cliffs Of Moher in the Dee Stakes at Chester earlier this month, doing some eyecatching work late on.

However, connections of Mirage Dancer believe a trip to Epsom may be the wrong move at present and while the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot next month a possible alternative, the colt will not be hurried in his preparation.

Almanzor is expected to return to the fray next month – but Royal Ascot looks to be off the table.

Last season's star European colt, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, still holds an entry in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting but connections are instead likely to aim him at a Group Three at Chantilly.

Churchill will face just five rivals as he bids for a Classic double in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien's charge won the British version at the start of  the month and he will once again be joined by stablemates Lancaster Bomber and Spirit Of Valor, who finished fourth and eighth respectively at Newmarket.

Order Of St George leads the way as just five runners go to post for the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on Friday.

Aidan O'Brien's charge won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year, claiming this Listed heat along the way, and will be having his second outing this term after finishing second in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan last month.

Eminent delights Meade 

If you’ve glanced at Oddschecker on Tuesday morning you’ll have noticed Eminent has been cut across the board for the Investec Derby. Indeed, he’s 8/1 from 10s with Sky Bet.

That’s because he was the one that impressed onlookers the most in his piece of work on the Downs before breakfast, and his trainer was delighted with his son of Frankel as well.

“I was absolutely thrilled,” said trainer Martyn Meade. “He did exactly what we wanted him to do, it couldn’t have gone any better. It didn’t go according to plan in the Guineas, but I think this is his distance (1m4f).

Aidan O'Brien's Seventh Heaven is unlikely to run until the autumn after suffering a setback.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly had been among the leading lights for the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom next week following her five-length stroll in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.

However, she has been ruled out of that race, with O'Brien expecting her to be sidelined for a lengthy period.

Last year's King George and Breeders' Cup Turf hero Highland Reel and his brother Idaho, who was third in the 2016 Derby, are instead likely to run in the Coronation Cup.

O'Brien said: "Seventh Heaven had a little bit of a setback so she probably won't be back out until the autumn.

Persuasive could make her seasonal reappearance in the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

After finishing second in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on her final start last season, the John Gosden-trained four-year-old is being lined up for a crack at the Group Two on Saturday.

Roger Charlton will step Atty Persse up in trip at Haydock on Friday as part of his preparations for an outing at Royal Ascot after ruling out a bid for the Investec Derby.

The unbeaten son of Frankel, who had been around a 20/1 chance for the Epsom Classic, will race over a mile and a quarter for the first time to contest the Watch Racing UK On BT TV Handicap at the Lancashire track.