SUPER SIX TO SIZZLE IN IRELAND
Welcome to Ireland, the third largest island in Europe and the twentieth largest island in the world, the home of St Patrick, potatoes and some of the most gorgeous lush landscape in the world. Today the aforementioned backdrop plays host to the Grade II Irish St Legend, a race for all horses three years old and up over the gut busting mile and three quarter turf circuit. Half a dozen of Europe’s finest have assembled to compete for the half a million dollar purse so let’s look at them in a little more detail.
1 – BIG JOHN CANNON(IRE) – snowangel2 – 21/1
(HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x IRISH RIVER(FR) x GREAT NEPHEW(GB))
S Jaeger ( 72 – 8 – 4 – 7 – 11% )
An up and coming three year old colt who has salted on four occasions from just eleven career outings. He was a last start winner over two miles at allowance level and also won the start prior to that, also over two miles at Grade III level albeit restricted to his own age group. His last two SP#’s have been sub ninety which could indicate he has some improvement in him, especially given he has won both races reasonably comfortably. He seems to relish the front running style which may help the fact that he drops two furlongs back on recent races today. Trainer snowangel2 said “He is in the best form of his short career and we thought we’d see how he goes against the older ones” He is at massive odds and that could prove value for his loyal supporters.
2 – K’S STAGFLATION(KY) – supreme – Evens
(SMART STRIKE x DANEHILL x SADLER’S WELLS)
Z Kentucky ( 663 – 151 – 137 – 93 – 23% )
This four year old colt is one of the big guns of turf long racing, with a ranking of just tenth in the world. He has won eleven from nineteen and already amassed over two million dollars in prize money. He has easily won his last three races, all similar events to this one. His SP#’s in those three races have been a staggering 107, 108 and 111. He is a Grade I winner and is all class. Today he will be ridden by world class jockey Z Kentucky which adds to the form. Trainer supreme said “We have come to this race expecting to win so to be honest anything less would be disappointing”. Somehow we think he may not be disappointed.
3 – CONSECUTIVE(KY) – mrenforcer – 7/2
(GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x DANEHILL x SASSAFRAS(FR))
E C Doyle ( 487 – 57 – 68 – 76 – 12% )
A four year old colt who has a history of consistent performances in races similar to this albeit without winning. He did come out and win well last start over eleven and a half furlongs at stakes level which was an improvement on his recent races. That may be an indication he is back to his best, which, if true would mean he is right in this race, he produced an SP#104 which was his best for seven starts and last time he did that he was placed in a race not unlike this one. Trainer mrenforcer said “we think we have found the key to him and that he is back at his very best now, he can give this a real shake” There’s no doubt that if he can reproduce last starts effort he is at least a place chance.
4 – ACCESS GRANTED(ENG) – taicheska – 7/1
(AUTHORIZED x MISWAKI x PINE BLUFF)
R Inch ( 195 – 30 – 22 – 24 – 15% )
A four year old colt who has hit form in recent times. He produced close to a career best run last start when winning a stakes race over twelve furlongs where he ran an SP#103. He also won the start prior to that over the distance of this race at allowance level. He has now not missed a top three finish in his last six starts. Just five starts back this guy was running in restricted claiming events so it has certainly been a meteoric rise to the top. Trainer taicheska said “Anything we get from this guy is a bonus, we thought he had something when we claimed him but to have a stakes win so fast has been great, finger crossed we get even more” Time will tell if the fairytale continues.
5 – BLUEBERRY WELLS – karl – 7/2
(SADLER’S WELLS x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (IRE) x AFFIRMED)
M Russell ( 300 – 26 – 25 – 33 – 9% )
The grandfather of the field, a regally bred seven year old who has been relatively lightly raced and still may have some good racing in him. He has a quality strike rate, winning ten from thirty two, he has managed three wins from his past eight outings, all at allowance level over slightly shorter races than this one. The best of his recent form was two starts back when he flew home to finish fourth over twelve furlongs at Grade I level. In that race he produced an SP#103. He also ran an SP#109 the start before so there’s no doubting he has some ability. This distance looks like it will suit, it’s just a matter of him rising to the opposition. Trainer karl said “After his fourth in the Grade I race we feel he can be very competitive in a race like this” Look for him to be flashing home late.
6 – THE BODYGUARD(KY) – woette4 – 9/2
(ENGLISH CHANNEL x SADLER’S WELLS x LEAR FAN)
A Reed ( 609 – 121 – 122 – 101 – 20% )
A four year old colt who has proven himself to be more than competitive at the top level in recent times. Ran home extremely well for a second over two miles last start at Grade II level, the start prior to that he was a Grade I winner over two miles and also won three starts back over the distance of this race in a stakes event. He is a sharp improver who has a turf long rank of 25 which appears as though it will only improve. Trainer woette4 said “He is really starting to mature in to a nice horse, is last three runs have been a sight to behold, I think we can win this one too” The engagement of A Reed is also a big plus. Definitely looks classy and could be right in the finish.
I’ve selected 2-6-5-4
Good Luck And Good Punting
BUTCHA