Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GEORGE TO HAVE THE LAST LAF
Lyons star has qualities to see off Listed winner
BY RYAN MCELLIGOTT GEORGEVILLE is a confident choice to land the Group 3 Hollywoodbets Alleged Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon.
The Ger Lyons five-year-old developed into a very useful type last season when he posted a number of solid efforts in good company.
Perhaps his best effort came at the end of the 2021 season when he bolted up for Lyons (below) in the Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown over today’s trip.
The balance of his form would suggest that Georgeville is up to making his mark at this level and he is preferred to Lafayette.
That one began his season with a likeable success in a Listed race at Naas over today’s trip.
He should again be thereabouts and might be the biggest threat to the selection.
In an interesting renewal of this race High Definition returns to action as he looks to bounce back from his disappointing three-year-old season.
Meanwhile Helvic
Dream makes his first appearance since landing last year’s Tattersalls Gold Cup. He could find this tough under a Group 1 penalty.
Today’s card also features the Group 3 Hollywoodbets Gladness Stakes where Belle Image can strike for Sheila Lavery.
This filly ran very well in a couple of Group 1 events last season including when fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
That level of form points to her ability to win in Group 3 company and this trip looks ideal for her.
Her biggest danger could be the three-year-old Markaz Paname who won the Madrid Handicap at Naas two weeks ago.
This lightly raced type is open to further progress and should be up to holding his own at this level.
Elsewhere on the card Forceful Speed is taken to land the second of the two-year-old maidens.
This colt made a bright start to his career as this track last month when he was just touched off by Ocean Quest.
He did everything right that day and that initial experience earns him the vote over a field that contains some very interesting newcomers.
In the six furlong maiden for the older generation a chance is taken on the Johnny Feane-trained Susies Sapphire.
She ran quite a nice race in a big field maiden here last October and the slight drop back in trip looks as though it will suit this filly well.
In the first of the sprint handicaps Hightimeyouwon can strike for Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes.
This gelding is a very reliable type on straight tracks and his form in premier handicaps last season is much the best on offer here.