Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to the weekend and reflecting on two major developments from the past few days.
Happy Retirement, Kyprios
One of the best stayers of his generation, Kyprios has been retired.
A winner of 17 of his 21 races—including two Ascot Gold Cups—he aggravated an old ringbone lesion (yes, I had to look that up) when winning the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month.
It’s a wise call from Coolmore to retire the seven-year-old now. He’s a top-class horse and should make a fine National Hunt stallion.
Always reliable, his absence leaves the staying division wide open this summer.
New Derby Favourite
After Field Of Gold boosted this year’s 2,000 Guineas form by winning the Irish version at the Curragh, Ruling Court's Derby credentials received another boost.
Now Delacroix has taken over as Derby favourite, with Aidan O’Brien hinting that Ryan Moore may ride him at Epsom instead of The Lion In Winter. That news has seen the latter drift in the market.
Of course, Aidan may yet change his mind after final gallops next week. But if Moore does switch, I suspect it’ll be because The Lion In Winter has underwhelmed in that work.
As I said last week, The Lion In Winter may turn out to be the best middle-distance colt by season’s end—but as it stands, he has no Group 1 form and his Derby price is far too short. If he wasn’t trained by Aidan, he’d be at least 12/1.
The Derby betting drama might not be over just yet.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
We return to Haydock on Saturday for a low-key card, a week before the Derby. That said, there’s still Group action to enjoy: The Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies' Stakes (2:58): Won last year by Queen Of The Pride and the Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes (3:30). The Listed Achilles Stakes (2.23) is worth taking note of as the last two winners – Regional and Believing – have gone on to score at Group 1 level.
Over at York, the William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies' Stakes (3:15) is another Group 3 worth noting.
The main event of the weekend comes from France, with Sunday’s Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
ITV Racing are covering four races from Haydock, two from York and one from Chester on Saturday afternoon. There’s more racing on ITV4 on Sunday as Chelmsford hosts the Sky Bet Sunday Series card.
Here’s some early pointers on Saturday’s Haydock card:
2:23 – Achilles Stakes (5f)
Michael Appleby, who won this in 2022, could saddle C&D winner Shagraan. Tom Marquand is booked, but he’s also jocked up on Balmoral Lady, another course winner who’d prefer softer conditions.
Shagraan and Leovanni—the latter trained by Karl Burke and booked with William Buick—would both appreciate quicker ground, so the weather may play a part in final declarations.
2:58 – Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes (1m4f, Group 3)
The Gosden yard won this last year with Queen Of The Pride, ridden by Oisin Murphy—who's again booked, this time for Shaha, a recent Listed winner at Goodwood.
William Haggas, successful in 2022 and 2023, could be represented by Chorus, who was a 6-length sixth behind Shaha on seasonal return. She’s entitled to come on for that run.
3:33 – Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (7f, Group 3)
This has the makings of a good renewal if the key ante-post contenders stand their ground.
Audience, last year’s Group 1 Lockinge winner, is the sponsors’ 2/1 favourite.
Alyanaabi (7/2) made all to win a Listed race over C&D 21 days ago, a big player now upped in grade.
Kinross (7/2) could return here too, though he wouldn’t want it too quick. The admirable 8-year-old won this in 2021 and won fresh that day.
Kikkuli (9/1), who was two lengths behind Alyanaabi last time, should improve for the run and has Oisin Murphy booked. He looks set for a better performance.
Last year’s winner Tiber Flow was trained by William Haggas, who has entered More Thunder (9/1) this time. Officially rated one of the lowest among the 19 entries, he’s been a revelation since dropped to 6f in handicaps, winning both starts. The step back up to 7f could unlock more—he’d be an interesting runner if declared.
More weekend pointers in tomorrow's column.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John