Sam King failed to fire yesterday afternoon but there’s plenty of top-class action across Europe to get stuck into a he’s back with three selections.
Just a day on from some world-class racing at Leopardstown, the Curragh hosts a stunning eight-race card featuring no fewer than four Group 1s.
The opening sprint handicap does look a bit of a minefield in all truth but with firms paying up to seven places (Sky Bet) each-way, I couldn't resist having a look.
Those towards the head of the market all look to hold decent claims but at longer odds Volatile Analyst caught the eye.
Owners Shamrock Thoroughbreds & Dooley Thoroughbreds launch a two-pronged Ado McGuinness attack on this opening sprint handicap and surely most will think stablemate Laugh A Minute has the best chance of giving them success on the Curragh.
However, stablemate Volatile Analyst has plenty of back class and he actually foiled a pretty hefty gamble on Laugh A Minute when beating him by half a length in a competitive York handicap in October 2021 for previous connections.
You only have to go back to March last year to find Volatile Analyst winning a Doncaster Listed race for Keith Dalgleish off a mark of 101 and although he sort of lost his way after that, the gelded son of Distorted Humour didn't run badly when fifth at Haydock in June on his last outing for the yard.
New connections paid 55,000 guineas for him at the Tattersalls July Sale, and it wouldn't be the first time Ado McGuinness has managed to get a well-handicapped sprinter back to his best for Owners Shamrock Thoroughbreds & Dooley Thoroughbreds.
He showed up well for a long way when seventh over course and distance on his stable debut last month and will surely strip fitter for the outing. Having been dropped 5lb for that effort, he's now on an official mark of 88 and Cian MacRedmond claims a valuable 5lb in addition.
Being drawn highest of all in stall 25 also looks interesting with it often an advantage to be situated towards one of the rails on the sprint track at the Curragh, and I'm hoping he can give us a good run for our money at a general price of 28/1.
Selection: Volatile Analyst – General 28/1
It could be yet another stellar day for Aidan O'Brien, who saddles a trio of Group 1 favourites at the Curragh. All look to have strong chances as one would expect but I can't help but think Ylang Ylang is too short in the market in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at 3.25. With that in mind, I'm happy to take her on with the reopposing Vespertilio.
Ylang Ylang comfortably had her measure in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown in July but there are plenty of reasons to believe Vespertilio can bridge the gap this time around. The six-runner affair at Leopardstown was one that Ryan Moore dictated from the outset onboard the long odds-on favourite Ylang Ylang and Vespertilio was certainly done no favours by having to make ground from the rear of the field off a moderate tempo.
The Willie McCreery-trained filly almost certainly took a step forward when dispatching of her rivals in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes over course and distance on her next outing. It was tough
not to be impressed with how she went about her business that day, with the daughter of Night Of Thunder displaying a potent turn of foot off a decent gallop.
I'd expect Billy Lee to have his mount situated towards the rear of the field once more this afternoon but that may prove no bad thing with a more generous pace to aim at likely. An official rating of 110 gives her 4lb to spare on her old conqueror Ylang Ylang and although I fully understand both fillies are continuing to progress, I'm not sure Vespertilio deserves to be five times the price of Aidan O'Brien's runner after what she displayed here 22 days ago.
Selection: Vespertilio – General 5/1
We head to York for our third and final wager. The feature Listed BetGoodwin Garrowby Stakes at 3.50 has attracted a field of eight and market leader Emaraaty Ana should take some beating in my opinion.
The drop back to this level brought about a much better effort from him when going down narrowly to Lezoo at Newmarket (July) last month and he certainly seems more effective on a flatter track like York.
You only have to go back to November last year to find him finishing runner-up in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and that form is an absolute standout amongst today's opposition. He finished third in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes last season and although he's taken some time to come to hand this year, it's likely to be rattling quick ground at York this afternoon, something the gelded son of Shamardal absolutely relishes.
Main market rival Commanche Falls is rated 1lb superior but carries a 5lb Group 3 winning penalty and that should be enough to see Emaraaty Ana back to winning ways with conditions to suit on the Knavesmire.
Selection: Emaraaty Ana – General 13/8
