Estidhkaar ready to prove Guineas class
TRIALS season did not go quite the way the Richard Hannon operation would have liked with reversals for leading Classic hopes Ivawood and Tiggy Wiggy, but
ESTIDHKAAR (Newmarket, 3.45) excelled on his return and can enhance his reputation with victory in today’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas. Although beaten in Newbury’s Greenham Stakes, the Dark Angel colt was partly responsible for setting a new track record despite finding Muhaarar a neck too strong at the line.
The selection looked as though an extra furlong on a stiffer track would bring about further improvement and he has the opportunity to prove that theory on the Rowley Mile.
The three Hannon horses are, remarkably, drawn alongside each other so team tactics should be simple. I imagine the front-running Kool Kompany would be nominated to tow Estidhkaar and Ivawood into the race.
Ivawood disappointed in the Greenham but he is a big horse who may have caught out connections with his fitness levels that day.
Time may prove him to be a high-class sprinter but, until it is proven that he does not stay a mile, he is respected, especially with a faster surface likely to suit.
Favourite Gleneagles has clear form claims and is hard to dismiss, even if his victories last year did not produce any magical figures on the clock. But stablemate Ol’ Man River could prove the better long-term prospect as he quickened well to land his two Curragh wins and will stay further.
Dutch Connection appeals as one that could outrun his price given he has wintered well and did a smart piece of work on the track recently in preparation for today’s event, while Cappella Sansevero does not have a great deal to find on last year’s juvenile form to be in the mix.
It is the turn of the fairer sex tomorrow and LUCIDA (Newmarket, 3.40) may be the answer to the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
It looks significant that trainer Jim Bolger avoided the soft ground trials with his filly, who appeared to get stuck in the mud when contesting the Fillies’ Mile last October.
She had previously stayed on powerfully to overhaul Fadhayyil in the Rockfel Stakes and Barry Hills’ representative strikes me as the chief danger again just ahead of Jellicle Ball.