Ken Condon and Shane Foley face into potentially the most significant weekend of their careers, but whatever the fate of Success Days in today's Epsom Derby, they look to hold solid Group 3 claims with Newsletter in tomorrow's Curragh feature.
Cork-born Condon left the beaten track somewhat for Newsletter’s previous start when she rewarded her trainer with a Listed win at Nottingham. A combination of six furlongs and decent going should suit her in the TRM Ballyogan Stakes.
In contrast, both Iveagh Gardens and Stormfly could relish softer ground than they’re likely to get.
Blinkers
On this day two years ago, Chopin was running in the Derby, but the ex-German-trained horse has a second start for Ger Lyons in the Listed Silver Stakes and with that first spin under his belt, plus first-time blinkers, last season’s Lockinge fourth can be a major player.
Chopin’s Qatar Racing colours can also strike in the concluding maiden where Game Set Dash should relish a step up to a mile and a half.
The weekend’s National Hunt focus is at Limerick today but resolutely on Paris tomorrow, where the remarkable Hurricane Fly bids to add the French Champion Hurdle to his world-record Grade 1 tally.
Champion hurdle
Willie Mullins
also pitches Vale De Ferbet (Paul Townend) and the 2011/12 hero Thousand Stars (Katie Walsh) into the Grande Course De Haies D’Auteuil, but it is Hurricane Fly (Ruby Walsh), who looks to dominate a €370,000 feature which is due off at 2.08pm.
Mullins also runs Business Sivola (Ruby Walsh) and Petite Parisienne (Bryan Cooper) in the Grade 1 Prix Alain Du Breil, which the trainer won with Diakali two years ago.
