David Johnson rounds up the action from the Timeform ratings perspective...
Photo by Pat Healy Photography
A relatively low key week on the domestic front meant that it was all eyes on the Curragh this weekend, hosting the first two Irish classics of the year as well as the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
With connections of Camelot and French Fifteen opting to step up in trip, the Irish 2000 Guineas gave those that played only minor roles at Newmarket the opportunity to showcase their talents. As it was, both Hermival and Trumpet Major fluffed their lines, and it was Power, among the also rans at Newmarket, who came out on top to continue Aidan O'Brien's domination of the race.
The race looked only an ordinary renewal beforehand, and the bunched finish does little to change that view, Power's winning effort worthy of a rating of 119, 1 lb higher than Roderick O'Connor earned last year, but some way short of recent winners Canford Cliffs (123+), Mastercraftsman (129) and Henrythenavigator (126+).
The places were filled by a couple of outsiders making their reappearance, Foxtrot Romeo improving on his Mill Reef fourth to earn a figure of 116 whilst Reply, one of three stable companions of the winner, improved on his Middle Park third and is now rated 114.
The 1000 Guineas the following afternoon provided Mick Channon with a belated first classic success as Samitar showed all and more of her two-year-old form, earning a rise from 112 to 116. A race that has failed to work out very well in recent seasons, this is marginally the highest figure for the winner since Attraction (122+) in 2004.
Homecoming Queen proved to be in nothing like the same form she had been at Newmarket as she faded out of the places late on. Originally rated 124 after the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, that piece of form has been downgraded now to 120, in line with the timefigure she recorded in that race.
So You Think got back to winning ways to land a second consecutive Tattersalls Gold Cup, running to 130 as he beat perennial Group 1 bridesmaid Famous Name by 6 lengths. His master rating of 131 remains unchanged.
Supporting the Group 1 action at the Curragh on Sunday was the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes in which Dermot Weld's Speaking of Which couldn't have won any easier. Fitted with blinkers and a tongue strap, he drew nine lengths clear of Soon to earn a rating of 120. Such a figure gives him place claims in an average Irish Derby, his reported next target.
Last year's winner of the five-furlong juvenile listed race, Power, doubled up in the Coventry, and Royal Ascot will probably be on the agenda for Mick Channon's Cay Verde after his victory in the 2012 edition. Now rated 103p, the third highest of the juveniles, behind the Jim Bolger-trained pair Dawn Approach (108p) and Move To Strike (107p).
The sprinters were the draw at Haydock for the Temple Stakes and Bated Breath gained an overdue and fully deserved first pattern-race win. Last year's Sprint Cup runner-up had no problem dropping back to the minimum trip and held on by a neck from the fast-finishing Sole Power. The pair were well clear of third-placed Spirit Quartz. New King's Stand Stakes favourite Bated Breath remains rated 125 and Sole Power edges up to 124.
Goodwood played host to the reappearance of Sea Moon, and he was no more than workmanlike in making a winning return in a race that didn't see him to best advantage. Running to just 116 to edge out Dandino, he remains rated 126 on his Great Voltigeur and Breeders' Cup Turf efforts.
Longchamp also hosted Group 1 action on Sunday with the Prix Saint-Alary and Prix d'Ispahan, the first named again looking short on quality for a race at the top level and Sagawara ran to just 110 in holding off Rjwa and Forces of Darkness by a couple of short necks. The Prix de Diane and a match up with Beauty Parlour (117p) will prove much tougher.
Last year's Prix de Diane winner Golden Lilac made a successful return to action in the d'Ispahan, turning over odds on shot Cirrus des Aigles. Given the bunched finish, Cirrus Des Aigles was adjudged to have run to 123, 10 lb below the level he showed in the Ganay and last year's Champion Stakes. Golden Lilac has met with defeat just the once, and improved her rating to 122 for Sunday's success. She should have a profitable season ahead at between a mile and a mile and a quarter.
