31-05-07

Wayne Lordan is looking forward to what promises to be a dream ride on Soldier Of Fortune for Aidan O'Brien in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

The young jockey is one of eight pilots required by the Ballydoyle maestro, who will be mob-handed for his attempt at a third success in the premier Classic following Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002).

Soldier Of Fortune was last seen getting up in the dying strides of the Chester Vase and Lordan told At The Races: "He won quite well in Chester and he stays well. It's great to get the opportunity to ride in the race."

He added: "He's a good horse, he tough and he's hard to get by, so hopefully he will run a big race. I think the ground should be OK for him."

Mick Kinane is expected to ride Archipenko, with Seamus Heffernan on Admiralofthefleet, Fran Berry on Acapulco, Declan McDonogh aboard Anton Chekhov, Johnny Murtagh on Eagle Mountain, Pat Smullen partnering Mahler and Colm O'Donoghue teaming up with Yellowstone.

Archipenko would appear to be the first string if the ante-post betting markets are to be believed.

Heffernan said of Admiralofthefleet: "Mick won on him at Chester (Dee Stakes) and he was impressive. If he gets the trip he's rated high and he has Group form to his name, so I'm hopeful I'm on the right one.

"It's a true test of a horse, it's a rough race downhill and they go a good gallop. You need a lot of luck.

"All the horses are well, there's not much between them and we'll have to see who has the luck on the day."
 

31-05-07

We'll Come narrowly put an end to a wretched run of luck in the Express Cafes Maiden Stakes at Yarmouth.

Michael Jarvis' substantial gelding had been unfortunate not to break his duck in a hot Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting but had been repeatedly denied a clear run before forging home for second.

To add insult to injury, he then missed the cut when ante-post favourite for last Saturday's totesport.com Silver Bowl at Haydock. Sent off at 4-6 for this mile event, his supporters were given an initial scare as he missed the break but Philip Robinson refused to panic and swiftly had him back in contention.

We'll Come had even reached the front alongside Alpes Maritimes with over three furlongs to run and the race looked at his mercy. But Godolphin's newcomer Gongidas, brother to the classy Gonfilia, had other ideas when he eventually got going and reduced the winning margin right down to a short head at the line.

Paul Rutter, Jarvis' travelling head lad, said: "There was a strong headwind and he was just idling a bit in front, but he deserves to win a race after being second three times. He's a massive horse with a lovely attitude and his long neck came in handy."

As well as a strong breeze, it was soft underfoot at the seaside circuit but Spitfire still flew away with the European Breeders' Fund Novice Stakes in the style of an above-average juvenile.

Also a winner of his other start at Warwick, Kerrin McEvoy angled out the 85-40 favourite with a furlong to run. Given the office, Spitfire showed a neat turn of foot to quicken right away from his rivals, scoring by two and a half lengths from the running-on Jebel Tara.

Successful trainer John Jenkins said: "I think he's quite good."

As to future plans he added: "I don't know, we'll have to see how he comes out of this."

Colin Haddon celebrated his first victory since returning from a stint in America when partnering Pearo (11-2) in the Great Yarmouth Mercury Selling Stakes.
 

30-05-07

Allegretto reaped the benefits of a first-time visor to win the WBX.COM Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Seb Sanders, the chestnut filly was a disappointing fifth in the Yorkshire Cup on her penultimate start.

But the headgear clearly worked the oracle as Sanders drove his partner up the Esher hill to score at odds of 12-1.

Allegretto fared best from an intriguing tussle with Balkan Knight inside the final two furlongs once favourite Tungsten Strike faded in his quest for back-to-back victories in the Group Two event.

While David Elsworth's runner-up deserves credit for a dour staying performance, he could not match the finishing kick of the winner, who had three-quarters of a length in hand at the line.

VC Bet cut Allegretto from 40-1 to 20-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, while totesport go the same price from 33s.

Chris Richardson, managing director for Allegretto's owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "That was fantastic - she's so game. She stayed every yard of the trip. She does nothing at home and there's not a lot of her, but she's so tough.

"I was slightly concerned about the ground, but she travelled so well and the visor has obviously made a difference."

30-05-07

Eddie Ahern believes his Derby mount Strategic Prince has a couple of qualities that could test Authorized in the Vodafone Derby on Saturday.

Like the hot favourite's jockey Frankie Dettori, Ahern is seeking to win the Epsom Classic for the first time. He has just had the two attempts, while Dettori has endured 14 failures. Ahern would not swap his mount for anything else, however, as he has the utmost faith in Paul Cole's charge.

"When you are racing against another horse you always try to find his weaknesses. One is that he (Authorized) might not stay and another is that he might not handle the track," said Ahern. "I'm sure my horse will stay and he'll definitely handle the track."

He added: "If you took Authorized out - he is an excellent horse with two Group Ones under his belt - the race is opening up.

"Stamina won't be a problem for my horse.

"The ground is going to be soft or good to soft, which will probably be like the day he ran in the Dewhurst when he was third.

"He's probably better on fast ground but he's gone well on soft ground so it's fingers crossed," Ahern told At The Races.

Lucarno is set to take his chance after trotting up at Newmarket on Saturday for his second success in three weeks.

However, connections are still on the lookout for a jockey as Jimmy Fortune, who has partnered the John Gosden-trained colt to both wins, is suspended.

"The horse has done very well and the plan at the moment is to run but we have no news of a jockey yet," said James Wigan, adviser to owner George Strawbridge.