DEFOE TO EDGE CLIFFS
IF given the green-light to run, Defoe might upstage Cliffs Of Moher in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, chief supporting race on tomorrow’s Curragh card.
Trainer Roger Varian has expressed his reservations about running Defoe on fast ground and will delay a decision on the colt’s participation until as late as possible.
The four-year-old Dalakhani colt has looked in great shape this season.
Winning the Surprise at Newbury, he went on to land the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, slamming Red Verdon.
Winner of both the Glasgow Stakes and the Geoffrey Freer last season, Defoe looks a progressive sort this year. And, if Varian is happy with ground conditions, he might have the edge over Cliffs Of Moher, generally disappointing at the top level last season in the wake of his second in the Investec Derby in Epsom.
The Ballydoyle colt finished fourth to
Ulysses in both the Eclipse (when unlucky) and the Juddmonte International.
And, fifth to Capri on his seasonal debut at Naas, he came from well off the pace to beat one of tomorrow’s rivals, Success Days, in the Mooresbridge Stakes at the same track last time.
Although rated 1lb superior to Defoe, Cliffs Of Moher looks beatable. And I prefer Varian’s charge, the mount of Andrea Atzeni.
The Joseph O’brientrained maiden Latrobe, collared late by Hunting Horn on his seasonal bow in Naas, is the choice in the Group 3 Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes.