HALFORD’S HIGHHOPES
IRISH CORRESPONDENT is set to take his chance in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas after maintaining his unbeaten record in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Race.
Successful on debut in a Leopardstown maiden that is working out well, the Michael Halford-trained Teofilo colt was sent off 8-11 favourite at the Curragh and settled in third of the five runners.
Homesman took over from Branch Line at the head of affairs but his lead was only brief as Irish correspondent loomed alongside and Shane Foley did not have to get too serious for him to stretch four-and-a-half lengths clear.
Halford said: “He’s a lovely horse. He has everything. He’s got temperament, action, cruising speed and he quickens. He’s a very smart horse.
“We were half-tempted to drop him back to seven for the Tetrarch but I thought the ground was very quick for him and I wasn’t keen on dropping him back to seven either.
“This race was here for him so we said we’d take our time.
“After he won his maiden we entered him in the Guineas at the second entry stage.
“It’s hard on the back of a maiden win to know what you have but I think after that we would be tempted to let him take his chance.
“Shane thought he would come forward again. He had a little blow, so we left a bit to work on. It’s only a fortnight away but the run should improve him.
“The good ones go on any ground but I just wouldn’t want it like the road.”
Halford’s ace was given a quote of 10-1 by Betfair for the colts’ Classic back at the Curragh on May 27.
Meanwhile, after carrying all before him in the Classic trials to date Aidan O’Brien finally came unstuck at Lingfield.
One of his big Derby hopes, Sir John Lavery, was bitterly disappointing as he finished behind Best Solution.
It was a welcome change of fortune for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor who held out big hopes of winning a first Kentucky Derby recently with Thunder Snow only for the colt to decide he did not want to run after leaving the stalls.
Best Solution finished behind Thunder Snow in Dubai but the 7-1 chance relished the return to turf, beating Glencadam Glory by three-and-a-quarter lengths under Pat Cosgrave.