MOORE TO COME WITH ALABAMA
Big improvement likely after Cork third
ALABAMA, representing the Epsom Derby-winning partnership of Aidan O’brien and Ryan Moore, should be tough to beat in the six-furlong Oak Solutions Group Irish DBF 2-Y-0 Race at the Curragh.
This No Nay Never colt, a half-brother to Sioux Nation, was put forward by O’brien as a juvenile to follow in the spring and, although beaten on his debut in Cork at Easter, is expected to make amends here.
Apparently struggling soon after half-way in the Cork race, Alabama plugged on to finish third, beaten four and a half lengths behind Noche Magica, in a race run on soft to heavy ground.
That experience and today’s fast conditions will help the Ballydoyle colt this evening and the form of the Cork race was franked when Noche Magica failed narrowly in the Group 3 Marble Hill while the fifth Port Louis won his maiden.
Of the others with form, Valiant Force, fifth in the Marble Hill, must be respected while it should take a smart newcomer to lower Alabama’s colours.
Three Ballydoyle colts will contest the opening, seven-furlong maiden for juveniles and with Ryan Moore set to partner £2.4 million purchase Diega Velasquez, a half-brother to four winners, including Broome and Point Lonsdale he looks the obvious choice.
Jessica Harrington - who runs Leopardstown runner-up Instant Appeal, with obvious claims against Diego - might complete a double in the three-year-old maiden action with Scarlett O’hara and First Generation, both sporting cheekpieces for the first time.
A promising sixth on her only juvenile start, Scarlett O’hara has filled the runner-up berth on both starts this season, proving no match for Boogie Woogie at Naas on her seasonal debut before going down by a half-length to Shamida at Leopardstown.
The step-up to a mile and a half suited the Frankel filly at Leopardstown and, with the cheekpieces on to help her concentrate, Miss Pat O’kelly’s filly is expected to open her account.
Later, First Gentleman, closely matched with chief rival Desert Haven, might complete the Harrington/shane Foley double.
An eye-catching third behind Run Ran Run and Desert Haven over a slightly shorter trip than this on debut, he was outpaced at a crucial stage before staying on late when third to Two Stars in Cork on his second start, with Desert Haven a short-head away fourth.
Today’s slightly extra yardage and the cheekpieces might eke out a little more improvement from Sheila Grassick’s Camelot colt and that should be enough to see him get off the mark.
Bumper action returns to the Curragh, with just six runners set to contest the Betting Better With Sky Bet Flat Race, an opportunity for the Charles Byrnes-trained Bumble Bee Bet to build on his debut success over in Ayr.