Red Verdon walking home yesterday
We have had no runners on Monday and Tuesday and so there has not been much to report but I am very much looking forward to Saturday after we supplemented Red Verdon for The Irish Derby at The Curragh. We have a lot of ground to make up on the front three in The Derby but Mr Arculli would like to see how our colt can perform when everything goes smoothly and we know he will handle the expected ground, he should appreciate the track and with it being a small field we won’t have the draw difficulties we had at Epsom. He came out of The Derby well and was eating and sleeping just like he normally does, he is back at his racing weight and he looks very well so I am hopeful he can do us all proud here at La Grange.
Catching up on our historic runners, Opposition was far too keen in the Queen’s Vase and therefore did not stay two miles, I am sure he will when he strengthens and learns to relax more and when the ground isn’t quite so soft. Apex King won very nicely in the seven furlong Novice at Newmarket, I loved the way he saw his race out and he will definitely get further. Rockery enjoyed the juice in the ground and ran very well when fourth in the mile maiden. Justice First was slightly disappointing but he has been a fantastic servant to the yard and has done very well for us over the last year, he will have a break now before going to race for his owner out in Singapore.
Inniscastle Lad heads to Carlisle today for the valuable Cumberland Plate handicap, his winning run came to an end last time but he still ran very well and this slightly step up in trip combined with a stiff finish should be in his favour, thankfully he is drawn well too. Alligator makes his debut in the seven furlong Novice at Kempton this evening, he has been drawn eight of the eight runners which is not ideal and he will learn a lot from the experience. Ryan felt that Tibr did not handle the ground at Epsom last time, he is bred to appreciate this surface and whilst it looks a warm contest we hope he can win. Mailshot was only beaten four lengths by Prince Of Lir giving weight away last time and ran well when fourth in the Olympic Glory whilst Prerogative ran well on his second start in a solid Leicester maiden so it is a strong contest which also contains some well bred newcomers.