- All times GMT
Low-key stuff in the UK and Ireland this weekend with the Derby very much the short-term focus. Stiff, right-handed tracks are the order of the day on Saturday with the main action coming from Beverley and Carlisle, and it’s refreshing to see a couple of the smaller tracks in the UK taking centre stage.
The former stages two juvenile contests that often throw up Royal Ascot contenders. The Hilary Needler (14:15) sees 10 fillies go to post over the five furlong distance. The market is headed by unraced Wathnan recruit Cosmic Mystery, while leading 2-year-old trainer Karl Burke sends Kodi Bear Light, a good winner last time. Moonlight Tango – for the owners who won this last year – had her form boosted today, while Rollthedicebaby shaped nicely on debut. At the prices, Crystal Queen might go well – she was not knocked about behind a touted Wathnan colt on debut and should improve significantly.
The Beverley Two Year Old Trophy (14:48) is the boys’ equivalent and has been won by subsequent Norfolk Stakes winners Shareholder (2024) and Prince Of Lir (2016) in the last decade. There’s probably nothing of that class in the race this time around, but this should be a very competitive renewal with several promisingmunbeaten sorts, such as Matteo and Arapaho Gold, going to post.
Carlisle hosts two Stakes races, with the Listed Achilles Stakes (14:33) and the Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes (15:10) switched here due to issues with the track at Haydock, where they were due to be run this weekend.
The former sees the return of Starlust, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, who proved sub-fertile at stud. He’ll probably need the run so maybe one of Redorange, Washington Heights or Celandine can take advantage.
The very talented Estrange should be hard to beat in the latter contest. Group 1 placed at the end of last season, she was touted as an Arc hope last year and should be able to get her season off to a winning start here provided the ground isn’t too fast.
Race Of The Weekend
There can be little debate about the best race this weekend, with a sensational renewal of the French Derby taking place at Chantilly this Sunday (15:30).
Constitution River heads the market following a stunning romp in a fast time at Chester last time out, but he’s been drawn in stall 15 which will make life difficult.
He faces a host of potential top-notch rivals, with the unbeaten Daryzan top of the list. This half-brother to last year’s Arc winner Daryz was hugely impressive on his sole start and could be absolutely anything.
He’s not the only unbeaten Aga Khan horse in here, however, as Dolmalan arrives here looking for a fourth win having won a Listed race here last time out.
Constitution River’s stablemate Hawk Mountain was a Group 1 winner last season and was also a winner here last time, scoring on his seasonal debut, and looks another high-class colt, while German runner Gostam and French Guineas second and third Komorebi and Hankelow round out a stellar field. Whoever wins here is likely to take the mantle of the best middle-distance 3-year-old in Europe, at least until Epsom next week.
Horse To Watch
A third unbeaten Aga Khan runner is the horse to watch this weekend, with Behrayna looking to make it three from three in the Prix De Royaumont (13:05). She’s already proven to be a very smart filly in her two wins to date and should take this before hopefully progressing into an Group 1 performer later in the year.
