The David Wachman team has been in notably good form so far this flat season and Chariots Of Fire could be a value bet to keep that hot-streak going in today's Aussie Rules Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh.
Wachman, along with Aidan O'Brien and John Oxx, is double-handed in today's Irish Guineas trial and even though the seven-furlong trip will be proven territory for Lucky Kyllachy, it looks significant that the Co Tipperary trainer is wasting no time in dropping Chariots Of Fire back in distance.
The colt drops back from the mile and a quarter of the Sandown Classic Trial nine days ago when stamina looked to be an issue as Chariots Of Fire struggled home fifth behind Regime.
Before that his debut at Cork resulted in a narrow defeat of Sorolla over a mile which did nothing to dent his reputation at home.
Sorolla has been beaten twice since which will put a lot of people off Chariots of Fire now but it is worth remembering he looked to be cruising all over his rival at today's distance before finally lasting home.
Top Class, an eight-length debut winner at Naas last month, is joined by the course winner Spanish Harlem from Ballydoyle while the highly-touted Angelonmyshoulder appears to lead the Oxx duo. Along with Creachadoir, they present a genuine Group Three puzzler but although he is something of an unknown quantity at the trip, it may well be worth betting that Chariots Of Fire proves these are his ideal conditions.
Wachman runs his former Sandown Trial winner Fracas in the Group Three Mooresbridge Stakes where last year's Dante winner Septimus makes the first start of his four-year-old career.
Ground conditions would ideally be on the easy side for Septimus but a fast surface will be ideal for Mustameet who looked as good as he was during 2006 when successfully returning to action in the Gladness over seven furlongs last month.
The third Group Three of the afternoon is the Athasi where the three-year-olds Offbeat Fashion and Gaudeamus take on their older rivals who include the Park Express winner Ardbrae Lady and the easy Lincoln winner Deauville Vision.
Michael Halford will be hoping that more than a few showers hit the Curragh as Deauville Vision was so impressive on testing conditions in March. However, she has form on better ground and it could be that her rapid improvement continues on this different surface.
Warsaw got the better of Irish Jig on his debut at Leopardstown and significant improvement can be expected for the Listed Coolmore Stakes while Katirisa looks an interesting newcomer in the seven-furlong maiden.
Woodbine Willie's form figures might suggest he will find one too good for him in the bumper but considering the last of them was for the Champion bumper at Punchestown on quick ground then they also suggest he might get off the mark.
