Snakes and ladders, that’s what racing is.
Patrick Prendergast travelled to Leopardstown on Thursday evening convinced he’d win the opener, a claimer, with Cedars Of Lebanon.
Clearly the public didn’t quite share his confidence as the 5/4 morning price had stretched to 5/2 by the off.
Second for a long way, he faded to fourth late on and Patrick was not quite in love with the world afterwards.
He was annoyed to lose a claimer, yet two races later he won a Group 3!
His 10/1 shot Skitter Scatter – how was that smart filly such a juicy price? – landed the Silver Flash Stakes under Ronan Whelan as 4/9 jolly Goddess, clearly out of sorts, dropped from first place to last.
Needless to say Patrick was in slightly better form after that contest.
“I was very keen to try her over seven furlongs. She’s full of heart, I’m very proud of her.”
“We don’t want to over race her this year, but she’s in the Debutante and the Moyglare.”
“Ronan thinks she’ll get a mile no problem so we could have a 1,000 Guineas Trial filly for next season on our hands.”
“I was sulking after the claimer, but God I feel good now!” he added.
Ballydoyle were clearly disappointed with Goddess and some of their horses, like Magic Wand in the Irish Oaks, are clearly a bit under the weather.
Nothing wrong with Anthony Van Dyck however who maintained Aidan O’Brien’s formidable Tyros Stakes strike rate as the Tipperary handler won this race for the fifth time in a row.
This very impressive runaway Killarney winner repeated the dose here bolting home at 8/11.
Granted main market rival Bold Approach made a hash of the start and that 7/4 fancy ran very babyish before coming through late to take second place.
But the winner looked different league and is possibly Ballydoyle’s leading juvenile right now.
BoyleSports immediately chalked him up at 14/1 for the 2,000 Guineas and go the same price for the Derby.
“We always knew he’d get a mile” Aidan said “and he proved that at Killarney, but you saw here he’s just as happy over seven furlongs.”
“So we might go for the Futurity over that trip next next followed by the National Stakes.”
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to Ryan (Moore) as he was rushing to catch a flight, but he said to the groom that he thinks he’s a very nice colt” O’Brien concluded.
Let’s hope Anthony Van Dyck is all he’s cracked up to be – and certainly so far, so good – because there seem to be very few – if indeed any – outstanding Irish juveniles this season.
That said Goddess is undoubtedly way better than what we saw on Thursday night.
Aidan reported her in no way distressed afterwards, but very quiet and a bit subdued.
No doubt those who took the long odds on in the betting ring were quiet and subdued also.
A most unusual – if not indeed unique – happening was that we had two dead heats at the one meeting.
The judge could not separate 2/1 favourite Howling Ridge and Pythion 6/1 in the mile maiden – I actually said in the Press Room that it’s probably a dead heat but they never call them anymore!
Then I was proved wrong on the double after the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes when 8/1 shot Sizzling – just one previous win in 17 outings – finished like an express train on the stands side to share the spoils with 5/1 chance Cimeara.
Obviously Dermot Weld would love to win a race named after former stable star Vinnie Roe, and his Bandua was hammered in from early “fours” to top the market at 9/4.
He was in the mix all the way but finished a close up fifth.
Join Declan’s Irish Racing Service to strike gold at the seven day Galway Summer Festival which kicks off on Monday!
That week long Western jamboree has long been a bonanza for his followers – remember big race hero Lord Scoundrel 33/1 (won 10/1), Titonhus 16/1, Creggs Pipes 14/1, On Fiddlers Green 8/1 etc.
Of course you will also get the inside line on the Irish runners at Glorious Goodwood – he hit the Jackpot with runaway 16/1 scorer Settle For Bay at Royal Ascot.
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