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Former jockey Davy Boland looks back at a great weekend of racing in Ireland and gives his thoughts on what we’ve got to look forward to.
We were granted with a huge weekend of racing here in Ireland and it didn’t disappoint. The main talking points were the surprise defeats of Winter and Churchill. Leaving those aside however it was a tremendous weekend of competitive racing at the highest level. There were so many great results but the one that stuck out most to me was the Moyglare Stud Stakes on Sunday at the Curragh. With the favourite Clemmie being withdrawn due to the ground Ballydoyle had to shuffle the pack. Ryan Moore switched from the original favourite to Magical who Donnacha O’Brien was declared to ride originally. Donnacha was then switched to Happily which worked out well for the winning trainers son as he got the daughter of Galileo up on the line to beat Ryan Moore’s mount in a magical performance. Donnacha won this race last year for his older brother Joseph, aboard Intricately for both brothers to celebrate maiden Group 1 success as jockey and trainer respectively. This was the first Group 1 winner Donnacha rode for his father and was great to see the whole family get in on the act.
Happily claims victory at the Curragh last Sunday.
A big festival week of action has started in the “Kingdom Country” with Listowel taking centre stage here in Ireland. There is a great week of competitive action with Wednesday’s Guinness Kerry National the focal point. Former Gold Cup winner Coneygree headed the weights but sadly with the heavy ground he is now an absentee. If I was having a bet it would be Joseph O’Brien’s Slowmotion. The 5yo mare has a nice weight, ran a cracker in Galway and looks to improve again. Check out the odds for the Kerry National here.
Slowmotion wins at Naas.
An ante post bet for anyone? The 1000 Guineas in Newmarket is a long time from now and loads will undoubtedly happen in the meantime but at 20/1 I like September. Yes she was beaten in her last two starts but the ground is key to this daughter of Deep Impact who won the Chesham at Royal Ascot. If you’re an ante post fan then have a few bob on her and with a run she won’t be 20/1 come the off in May.
September wins The Chesham