REPORT FROM THE CURRAGH: TERMAGANT STAKED her claim for the 1,000 Guineas with a shock victory in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.
Kevin Prendergast’s filly was taking a huge hike in class following her maiden success in June, but she stepped up to the mark in fine style and was given quotes varying from 10 to 1 to 20 to 1 for the Newmarket Classic in May.
Ridden by Declan McDonogh, the daughter of Powerscourt ranged alongside Famous inside the final quarter-mile and these two had the finish to themselves.
But it was Termagant who proved much the stronger as she pulled away to win by two and a half lengths from Aidan O’Brien’s 66 to 1 second string.
The O’Brien-trained odds-on favourite Lillie Langtry stayed on past beaten horses to take third place while Godolphin’s Long Lashes faded to finish a distant fourth after threatening briefly over a furlong out.
Prendergast said: “We were a little bit concerned about the ground, but she handled it well.
“She might not run again this season and she has done a good job. Our aim now will be to comeback here for the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
“She has always shown us a great deal and the plan was always to come here after she won her debut at Leopardstown.”
Bookmakers disagree about the value of the form on the desperate ground with William Hill only going 10 to 1 Termagant for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket while Victor Chandler go 12 to 1.
Ladbrokes offer 20 to 1 the winner and kept Lillie Langtry as 8 to 1 joint-favourite with the Luca Cumani-trained Seta, who is expected to return at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting with Kieren Fallon in the saddle.
Another youngster with possible Classic potential is Arctic, who stretched his unbeaten record to three with an impressive display in the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes.
The Tracey Collins-trained grey made light work of the testing conditions to slam the Aidan O’Brien-trained Air Chief Marshal by four and a half lengths.
Pat Shanahan always had the 11 to 8 favourite up with the lead on the outside and had the luxury of easing Arctic down close home with the Group Three prize easily won.
Collins said: “He’s entered everywhere and we’re not afraid to go anywhere after that performance. He’ll handle better ground but he’s effective on soft ground.”
Bookmakers feel the same and Arctic was given a quote of 33 to 1 for the stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas by Victor Chandler but just 16s with Ladbrokes.
Chinese White also found the heavy ground no handicap as she followed up a recent Gowran Park success in the Dance Design Stakes.
The Dermot Weld-trained filly was asked to challenge Latin Love two furlongs out and despite the long-time leader drifting into her, Pat Smullen’s mount went clear in the final furlong. The 11 to 8 favourite strode away to score by four and a half lengths.
Weld said: “She won as we expected her to, she did it well and she deserved her Group win. The most logical step would be to go for the Blandford Stakes here on (Irish) Leger weekend.”
Despite being out of luck in the Group races, O’Brien still scooped the Hacketts EBF Irish Cambridgeshire with Poet (7 to 1), who held Raise Your Heart by a neck in the hands of 5lb claimer Seán Levey.
“He’s a tough horse and it was good performance considering he was carrying 10st in that ground.Seán gave him a great ride and he’s a big solid horse,” said O’Brien. “He is going into Group class now, he’s always being threatening that. He’s come on from every run this year.”
