Thirty runners belting up the straight six furlongs of the Curragh may be a formidable spectacle, but for punting purposes races like today's £150,000 Tattersalls Breeders Stakes are normally just best watched. Balla Sola, however, can prove the exception in this year's renewal.
This valuable pot is confined to horses sold in last September's Fairyhouse Sale, but, since it was first run in 1989, it has proved something of a benefit for British raiders. Only two Irish-trained animals have won it, the last of them Aidan O'Brien's No Animosity in 1995.
The Ballydoyle trainer has six runners this time, with Christy Roche electing to ride Hermitage Bay, runner-up to Fairy Flight on his only run here in June. Significant improvement can be expected from that, but the vagaries of the draw have not been kind to the colt: he will be housed in stall 30, and Roche could even make a late switch to Gold Radiance.
Although the race will be run on the far track, the draw will still play a significant role with low numbers definitely favoured. That brings the likes of Jim Bolger's Law Library, Deilginis and Challenger Two right into contention. But it must also cast a cloud over what is the highest rated of the 12strong British team, Daunting Lady, who has been given box 22.
If the draw for Daunting Lady has been unkind, it has been only marginally less so for Balla Sola, who will start from 17. But he still could represent a touch of value in this race.
Eighth to the Acomb winner Saratoga Springs on his Gowran debut, Willie Mullins' juvenile then went to Galway where he looked an unlucky loser when beaten a neck by the smart Maduka. Balla Sola appeared to hang left from early in the race, but was still bang in contention on the turn in when the bit went through his mouth. His earlier tendency to hang became even more pronounced, and he ended up on the stands rail before straightening.
It was still a significant improvement on his first run, and if that rate has continued he will be a formidable opponent over a straight course that could negate his tendency to hang left. If he does hang left again, at least it will be in the right direction and a possible clash with Law Library who looks his most dangerous opponent. That's looking at it negatively though, and it doesn't require much to view the chances of Balla Sola and Pat Smullen very positively indeed.
Today's quality contest is the Group Three Futurity where, from a host of entries, Aidan O'Brien has settled on Impressionist, Lightning Star and Sideman. Roche has plumped for the unexposed but promising Cork winner Impressionist, but the stable rider has got it wrong before, Photogenic at Leopardstown last weekend being a case in point, and he may be wrong again.
Sideman went to Ascot's Chesham Stakes unbeaten, was well backed but could only finish eighth. But that was to the 2,000 Guineas third favourite Central Park and the subsequent Lowther winner Cape Verdi. Sideman, with Michael Kinane in the saddle, is proven on cut in the ground.
