In naming three, Rip Van Winkle, Cape Blanco and Beethoven, half of the field for the Tattersalls Million Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday, he is playing true to form, while the fact that he saddles only one, Starspangledbanner, for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock tomorrow is perhaps an indication that he feels his sprinter is the best around.
The opposition at the Lancashire course surprisingly does not include Equiano, trained by Barry Hills. The trainer’s son and assistant, Charlie, admitted they were not 100% happy with him at home, but he is hoping for a bold show from his other candidate, Prime Defender.
“We weren’t completely happy with Equiano when he did a breeze on Wednesday, so we just decided not to run him,” said Hills. “We just want to give him a bit more time, really. He didn’t run great at York, either, so we’ll give him time and maybe look at the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp.
“Prime Defender ran a great race at York over a trip that isn’t ideal for him.The extra furlong on Saturday definitely will help him and he’s won at Haydock a couple of times before, so, hopefully, he’ll run well.”
Even although O’Brien will be a hot favourite to win the Irish race for the sixth time, his opponents will have support.
Twice Over, the Henry Cecil-trained colt who was second to Rip Van Winkle in the Juddmonte International at York, tries again, and fellow Irish trainer, Dermot Weld runs Famous Name.
The intriguing runner is Sea Lord, from the Mark Johnston yard, who steps up from Group 3 level, where he beat Poet’s Voice at Salisbury, form that has been boosted by the runner-up winning at Goodwood.
Modest by those standards, the £10,953 prize for the feature race at Musselburgh today, the Graham The Plumbers Merchant Handicap, will still be much welcomed by the winning connections.
The old-timer, Dhaular Dhar, who stands out in this race, was a highly-rated miler in his day but at eight is maybe not as formidable as before. Jim Goldie’s former star is coming down the ratings, however, and is dangerous to ignore.
Changing The Guard has been running well in good handicaps and is likely to do so again, while the ultra-consistent Johnny Lester’s Hair could easily win again. However, this could well go to the three-year-old, Fox Hunt (4.10), winner of his only race by eight lengths. He has much to prove in handicap company but trainer Mark Johnston clearly believes he is ready for this task and will row in with him.
The Racing UK Handicap is another good race in which Goldie’s late improving sprinter, Rasaman, bids for his fourth win in a row over this course and trip.
He will be hard to beat but maybe Titus Andronicus (3.10), who did not get a clear run when finishing second to the Goldie horse here, will be able to reverse the form on 6lb better terms.
Vittachi (5.10), who is 2lb better off with Dubawi King on their running at Hamilton, can also reverse form at this sharper track.
*Musselburgh selections 3.10 Titus Andronicus 4.10 Fox Hunt 5.10 Vittachi
