Thread Of Gold
(Willie Mullins)
World Pool Bet With The Tote Kilternan Stakes (Group 3),
Leopardstown
It was virtually impossible to land a blow from off the pace in Saturday’s Kilternan Stakes. James Doyle was seen to excellent effect on the front end aboard Arabian Crown, and the likes of market leader Purview, ridden quietly, were always fighting a losing battle from further back.
In the same boat was Thread Of Gold, who already was taking a leap up in class after winning premier handicaps at Leopardstown and Galway on his previous two starts. On this evidence, however, he undoubtedly belongs at this level when getting a more honest pace set-up.
It was a fair effort from the progressive three-year-old to finish off as well as he did for fifth, only beaten three and a half lengths and getting within a length of Purview. He’s now up to a mark of 107 and he can build on that to win at this level, at least.
Willie Mullins’ Ghaiyyath gelding has a smart turn of foot for a mile-and-a-half horse and was making his first start in this grade against campaigners much more familiar with top-tier racing.
The Reverend
(Willie Mullins)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap (Premier Handicap), Leopardstown
From the same stable, similar comments about a big run from off the pace apply to The Reverend in the Petingo Handicap.
Making his first start since clipping heels on the turn for home in a Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 novice hurdle 223 days earlier, he made strong late gains to get up for fifth in this mile-and-five-furlong event, a race where it paid to be handy (four of the first five home held four of the first six positions early in the back straight).
The Reverend was given a chance to find his feet by Sam Coen, whose 5lb claim helped offset the fact this dual-purpose performer was tasked with carrying top weight, and he sat 15th of 21 as the field began to swing for home.
Sporting a first-time tongue-tie, it was a really pleasing showing to see him end up only being beaten a length and a quarter in fourth. He was nudged up 1lb to 104 on the back of this, but last year’s Old Borough Cup winner (when trained by William Haggas) is still going to be competitive in another big pot before the season is out.
Truth Be Told
(Michael Grassick)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap (Premier Handicap), Leopardstown
Another runner in the Petingo who caught the eye was Michael Grassick’s Truth Be Told. He had to be brave to go for a gap down the far-side rail but ultimately was never going to be able to get on terms.
Having hardly had a rival behind him at the crown of the bend, he posted a rock-solid showing in the circumstances to be sixth and beaten only two lengths. While connections might be frustrated he didn’t get to play a more prominent role, they will take encouragement from the fact his mark of 90 is unchanged - and that is still a rating off which he can do some damage.
His previous second to War Rooms at Ballinrobe was certainly eye-catching and he remains a bit of a blank canvas for this stable, having only had the three runs since joining the Grassick team. He was extremely well bought for just 35,000gns last autumn and is a premier handicap winner waiting to happen.
Time For Sandals
(Harry Eustace)
BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (Group 1), Curragh
There was plenty of market confidence behind Time For Sandals in the Flying Five, backed into 3/1 from a morning price of 6/1, but her draw really counted against her at the Curragh on Sunday. It was the second Group 1 in succession that she hasn’t had pan out kindly for her, having lacked luck in running in the Nunthorpe on her previous outing.
To call a spade a spade, she was never really going to trouble Comanche Brave, given how impressive he was once bursting into the clear late on, but the finish completely revolved around those on the near side.
Six of the first seven home had double-digit draws, the starting positions of those in the finish being 15, 18, 17, 10, 12, 8 and 16. From stall five, Time For Sandals ended up challenging further towards the centre of the track, and was almost on the far-side rail for a finish. Don’t give up on her at this level yet. She’ll be far better judged when getting an even pace and draw scenario.
Manton Bay
(David Marnane)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Northfields Handicap (Premier Handicap), Curragh
Manton Bay has been busy throughout his three-year-old season, and he is holding his form with great credit for the David Marnane team. With a bit of better luck, he would have been even closer in the concluding Northfields Handicap at the Curragh, having been forced to wait for racing room at key stages in the straight.
It wasn’t an ideal start from MRC International’s consistent premier handicapper to break slowly, getting further back than his rider likely wanted. Stepping back up to 10 furlongs, having been racing at a mile, the recent Irish Cambridgeshire second was able to establish a reasonable spot in the second half of the field, though - and it was possible to come from back there (winner Orandi flashed home from further behind).
That said, the lack of a clear passage at the business end meant we probably never got to see Manton Bay fully open up, and he was still only beaten three lengths in fifth of 22 runners.
If he can carry this form into next season, having run in April, May, June, July, August (twice) and September this term, he’s bound to land on a decent pot before long, albeit his mark is now 10lb higher than three starts ago.