Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cloak to keep our spirits up
CLOAK OF SPIRITS has the untapped potential to give trainer Richard Hannon a second Qipco 1,000 Guineas in the space of the past three years.
It was Hannon who saddled Billesdon Brook to a 66/1 victory in 2018 – but success for Cloak Of Spirits would rank more as a minor surprise than a shock.
The daughter of Invincible Spirit, a debut winner at Ascot last July, ran well below market expectations when 6/4 favourite for Doncaster’s Group 2 May Hill Stakes last September.
But her close third to Daahyeh in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket 15 days later looks smart form, after that winner’s subsequent Grade 1 second at the Breeders’ Cup.
There are ifs and buts about the fancied runners for the fillies’ Classic – some might prefer further, others shorter – but Cloak Of Spirits should find the mile test right up her street.
Sir Michael Stoute’s SNOW SHOWER is fancied for the Listed Betfair EBF Pretty Polly Fillies’ Stakes (3.00), while COMMUNIQUE gets the nod for the Listed Betfair Exchange Buckhounds Stakes (1.50).
Andrew Balding’s stable form points to the chances of GOOD BIRTHDAY in the Betfair Exchange Bet In-Play Handicap (2.25).
On a high-class card at Haydock Park – also in front of the ITV cameras – Stoute’s SANGARIUS is the stand-out in the Group 3 Betway Brigadier Gerard Stakes (2.40).
The lightly-raced son of Kingman was explosive when last seen, landing the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot 12 months ago.