Racecards
18:20 Leopardstown (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. (C & G) Maiden
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €16,500 added
- Winner: €11,386
- 2nd: €2,640
- 3rd: €1,154
- 4th: €660
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
prominent and disputed lead, 2nd approaching straight, pushed along to challenge briefly 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along over 1f out and 3rd 150 yards out, no impression and kept on one pace
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
broke well and settled back to 6th, progress on outer 1f out and went 2nd 150 yards out, kept on well, no impression on winner close home
- Form 6
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer D Wachman
- Jockey W M Lordan
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and soon dropped to rear, kept on one pace final furlong
Taqaseem
t- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer K Prendergast
- Jockey C D Hayes
slowly into stride and in rear, pushed along 3f out, closer straight and 6th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey P J Smullen
ran 5th, progress between horses to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
led or disputed lead, led approaching straight, ridden and headed 1f out, no impression in 6th when short of room 100 yards out, eased
Verdict
Jim Bolger has an excellent record in this so the Holy Roman Emperor colt Voice Of Choice has to be respected. Aidan O'Brien is represented by Highland Reel, a son of Galileo out of a very smart Australian mare, and US NAVY SEAL, who looks the one to be on. He cost $800,000 and is related to several major winners in the USA, including Grade 1 winning sprinter Pomeroy. Swordfight ran better than his finishing position suggests on very testing ground at the Curragh while his stablemate Crescent is related to numerous winners, most of them useful. Ardhoomey is by Dark Angel and should be speedy but the Teofilo colt Taqaseem is out of a middle-distance winner. Tombelaine is a half-brother to a couple of winning milers so this trip should be ideal on his debut and he rates a threat.
Formwatch
Ardhoomey (IRE) Dark Angel colt out of Moy Joy.
Crescent (IRE) Galileo colt out of Coralita.
Highland Reel (IRE) Galileo colt out of Hveger.
Swordfight (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders in 3rd, no impression under hands and heels from 2f out, 6th of 7, 6l behind Intense Style (9-5) at Curragh 6f mdn stks hvy in May.
Taqaseem Teofilo colt out of Saajidah.
Tombelaine (USA) First Defence colt out of Kithira.
U S Navy Seal (USA) War Front colt out of Questress.
Voice Of Choice (IRE) Holy Roman Emperor colt out of Dream On Buddy.