Sport

Two-Twenty-Two on top

Two-twenty-two made a pleasing seasonal debut and landed his third Group three event when taking the feature event, the Castlemartin…

Mon Apr 12 1999 - 01:00

Two-twenty-two made a pleasing seasonal debut and landed his third Group three event when taking the feature event, the Castlemartin and La Louviere Studs Gladness Stakes, at the Curragh yesterday.

Always up front and showing with a definite advantage from halfway, champion trainer Dermot Weld's 8 to 1 chance maintained a relentless gallop to hold the persistent challenge of Mark Johnston's Gaelic Storm.

"The plan was to make it a true test, because those tactics had worked well in the earlier races here today," said Weld. "It was a fine confident ride by Pat Smullen."

Ramooz was a well supported second-favourite but along with the easy to back favourite Black Rock Desert never got in a telling blow at the principals. However, the market leader was found to be in respiratory distress after the race.

READ MORE

The French import Armilina finished best of the other runners to be just a short head off Gaelic Storm in third. "Two-Twenty-Two is a stronger and better horse this year and we may go next to Sandown for the Chrysalis Group Mile," said Weld.

Aidan O'Brien and Michael Kinane, disappointed with Black Rock Desert, had earlier produced a smart looking juvenile when the Nureyev colt, Asanovo, landed the odds on his debut in the juvenile maiden.

"This is a big, strong horse with plenty of pace and he could be running at Royal Ascot for us later on," said O'Brien

The comprehensive defeat of Black Rock Desert has sent more ripples through the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas market. Hills have knocked the colt out to 33 to 1 from 12 to 1 and shortened Orpen to 10 to 1 from 12 to 1. The firm have also cut Commander Collins to 8 to 1 from 9 to 1 in the hope of soft ground.

In addition, the Hills remain open-minded about the prospect of Godolphin's Aljabr being rerouted from the Kentucky Derby back to the Guineas and he is 5 to 1 (upon application).

The firm's spokesman, David Hood also reported Mujahid (3 to 1 from 7 to 2) had been further supported for the opening Classic after another outstanding piece of work over the weekend.

Iftitah was eased to 12 to 1 from 8 to 1 for the 2,000 Guineas by rivals Coral yesterday afternoon in response to the Godolphin trials in Dubai.

Killer Instinct was cut to 7 to 1 from 8 to 1 as money continued to pour on Henry Cecil's colt and Godolphin's Island Sands was halved to 16 to 1 from 33 to 1 after several sizeable wagers.