Cross to bear in search of group win
INTELLIGENCE CROSS is out to gain a first Group win in the Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh having been placed behind the smart Mehmas.
Aidan O’Brien’s War Front colt does not have Richard Hannon’s solid yardstick to beat in this Group Three event, in which stablemate Sportsmanship also runs.
Michael O’Callaghan is another trainer doubly represented, by very impressive Leopardstown winner Holy Cat and De Boss Man.
Another of note is John Oxx’s Born To Be, who put his first two runs well behind him when winning at Cork
‘I’ve only got two by Born To Sea and they are both running in Group races on the same afternoon (Sea Of Grace in the Flame Of Tara the other),’ said Oxx.
‘Both have always shown they’d be smart from the word go, but this lad just did things the wrong way around on his first two races. On his third run he did it the right way and it was no surprise when he won.
‘The form has worked out quite well, the third and fourth fought out a maiden last week and he deserves to step up into a Group Three. He must have a bit of juice, though, so we hope there’s the odd shower.’
Jim Bolger introduces the newcomer Teo’s Music, while Oxx has high hopes his promising filly Sea Of Grace can continue on an upward curve in the Flame Of Tara European Breeders Fund Stakes.
It is seven years since Sea The Stars kept Oxx at the pinnacle of the game for a never-to-be-forgotten summer with a string of Group One wins, and Sea Of Grace is close to his heart being a daughter of Born To Sea, a halfbrother to Sea The Stars.
The way she won a Tipperary maiden on her second start suggested she had a bright future. ‘She likes a bit of ease in the ground so we’re hoping for a few showers,’ said Oxx.
‘Her form looks strong all the way through. The first maiden in which she was third had Rehana and Rhododendron (Group Two winner) and the filly she beat last time, Eziyra, beat Hydrangea and that one was second to Rhododendron in a Group Two.
‘She certainly deserves to take her chance in a race like this. There’s a chance she might prefer seven furlongs at this stage rather than a mile.
‘We’ve left her in the Moyglare, the Group Ones close early so they are always specualtive entries but she has always shown us from the word go that she’s a smart filly.
‘I’ve only got two by Born To Sea and the other (Born To Be) runs in the Round Tower.”
Dermot Weld saddles Eziyra, while Aidan O’Brien has declared Bound and Butterflies.
Jessica Harrington’s Madame Cherie, Jim Bolger’s Legitimus and David Wachman’s newcomer Pocketfullofdreams complete the field.