Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Difficult to see beyond City Of Troy
CITY Of Troy will not be much of a price for the Qipco 2000 Guineas – but it is hard to side against him in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket today.
Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners have held this Justify colt in the very highest of regard since his winning Curragh debut in July, after which he promptly graduated to Group Two level with a brilliant six-and-a-half-length success over Haatem in the Superlative Stakes.
City Of Troy missed a subsequent National Stakes run due to unsuitable ground, but he made up for the lost opportunity when romping home by three and a half lengths in the Dewhurst.
The reopposing Alyanaabi took second that day, with Haatem fifth and Iberian in sixth, but City Of Troy won with any amount in hand, so there is no reason to think they can turn that form around.
Rosallion is one of those to provide a fresh challenge, but all the updates from Ballydoyle have been positive and City Of Troy looks sure to improve for a longer trip given his pedigree.
Elsewhere on the card, Twilight Calls can snap a lengthy winless streak with victory in the William Hill Palace House Stakes.
Henry Candy’s charge has not hit the target since securing a handicap victory at this track in April 2022, before going on to finish fifth in the Palace House and second in the King’s Stand Stakes, after which he embarked on an extended break.
He returned to action in this race last term, but with soft ground and an unfavourable draw against him, he was beaten five lengths in ninth which set the tone for a season highlighted by a luckless fourth place in the King’s Stand. Twilight Calls has twice won on his seasonal bow and can get his campaign off to a better start this time.
Fellow Cheveley Park runner
Unequal Love can also get on the board in the William Hill British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes.
A four-time winner last term, she had to settle for fourth over the same six furlongs she faces here on her final start in Listed company in October, but a similar effort should see her in the frame again.
Tomorrow, See The Fire offers a value alternative to those at the head of the market in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Andrew Balding’s beautifully-bred filly does not have too much ground to make up on Aidan O’Brien’s Ylang Ylang from the Fillies’ Mile, yet that one is battling for favouritism. Given See The Fire’s parents – the brilliant Sea The Stars and Arabian Queen, the Juddmonte International winner from 2015 – peaked at three, there is every reason to believe she will take a big jump forward from what she achieved last season.
That is not to say she did not reach a high level either, as after winning on her debut, she was second in the May Hill and then just over a length back in third in the Fillies’ Mile when she just was not as streetwise as some in those races. She is unlikely to be found wanting in the fitness department.