RACING:WILLIAM BUICK will be in Derby action this evening aboard Akeed Mofeed but the top young jockey can hit the Group One mark tomorrow at the Curragh on Izzi Top.
The John Gosden-trained filly is among four older horses taking on a trio of Aidan O’Brien three-year-olds that includes the Oaks heroine Was.
Séamus Heffernan maintains his link on the surprise Epsom winner with Joseph O’Brien sticking with Maybe who didn’t look to stay the mile and a half earlier in the month.
“She’s coming back to 10 furlongs, but I don’t think that will be too much of a hindrance,” Heffernan said yesterday. “The ground is probably more of a worry. But it’s the same for all of them.”
This 10 furlongs should suit Maybe better but cut in the ground is not ideal whereas it should be no trouble to both Izzi Top and Dermot Weld’s rapidly progressive Sapphire.
The latter hosed up at Cork in the Noblesse Stakes but the form hasn’t been boosted since while Izzi Top has had this race as a target since winning both a Group Two at York and a Group Three earlier in the season.
“It’s been her aim for some time now,” Gosden said yesterday. “She’s done nothing wrong, she’s progressing but she hasn’t surprised me in the slightest. I don’t think she quite stayed in the Oaks last year.”
It doesn’t hurt Izzi Top’s chance either that the Gosden-Buick team was in such sparkling form at Royal Ascot last week.
True Verdict can make it third time lucky in the Group Three Grangecon Stud Stakes while Famous Name, winner of the race in 2009 and last year, looks up to scoring again in the 10-furlong International Stakes.
The other Group Three is the Attheraces Gold Cup and although a three year old hasn’t won it in nine years, the pattern could change with Hartani.
John Oxx’s runner showed admirable versatility in both his wins at Tipperary and on both occasions shaped as if an increase in trip would suit.
Oliver Brady’s One Cool Shabra is 12lbs higher for winning at Clonmel last month but looks a transformed character for hurdling and can go close in the finale.
