SMART CAR
O’Brien’s star sprinter has the gears to rule Commonwealth
CARAVAGGIO should give his opposition the brush off in the Commonwealth Cup (3.40, ITV) at Royal
Ascot today. No horse has yet managed to lower the colours of trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Scat Daddy colt. Caravaggio sprang to prominence at the royal meeting last year when running away with the Coventry Stakes.
And making his return to the fray over six furlongs at Naas last month, Ryan Moore’s mount left his rivals standing. He is strongly fancied to repel main rivals Harry Angel and Blue Point.
NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3 1 WINTER 2 PRECIEUSE 3 DABYAH
WINTER cannot sensibly be opposed.
Since leaving David Wachman for Aidan O’Brien, the daughter of Galileo and 2010 Wokingham heroine Laddies Poker Two has taken her form to a new level.
Beaten a head by stablemate Hydrangea at Leopardstown in April on her debut for Ballydoyle, she was allowed to go off at 9-1 for the 1,000 Guineas, for which O’Brien’s Rhododendron led the betting at 5-4, a month later.
But, when she quickened to the front with two furlongs of the Rowley Mile remaining under Wayne Lordan, the Classic was as good as done with, as Rhododendron stayed on at the one pace two lengths behind.
Ryan Moore took over on 8-13 favourite Winter in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh at the end of last month, and a fourand-three-quarter-length Roly Poly margin from and Hydrangea ranks as a personal best.
Churchill failed in his bid for the NewmarketCurragh-Ascot treble on Tuesday, but it will be a shock if the same fate befalls Winter.
Punters can boost their return by seeking the second, Dabyah with and Precieuse
prime candidates for minor honours.