Aidan O'Brien's string have been in such sparkling form lately that it goes against the grain to oppose him in almost any race, but today's Juddmonte Beresford Stakes could be the contest to do just that.
Saratoga Springs has been one of the mainstays of the Ballydoyle juvenile team this year and on the book should pick up this Group Three event with something to spare. However, the book cannot legislate for the effect of the ground, which prompted an inspection yesterday and some adjustments to the track.
No inspection is planned for this morning but the ground will be heavy and the main parameter today will be a horse's ability to act on it. That being the case, Sabre Mountain looks the one with which to oppose Saratoga Springs.
Jim Bolger's Zilzal colt has only had the one run but absolutely trotted up at Tralee in August when the going was very soft. A four and a half length defeat of Eymir and Kincara Palace may not mean much when compared with Saratoga Springs's best efforts, but most of them have been on fast ground, particularly his Acomb win at York. As a son of El Gran Senor, Saratoga Springs will hardly be at his most effective in the muck, and with Jim Bolger holding a high opinion of Sabre Mountain, the unexposed but ground-proven colt looks the one.
With the English horse Taipan a non-runner, the Group 2 Blandford Stakes has opened right up into an all domestic affair. John Oxx saddles half the field, with John Murtagh on Vivo and Pat Smullen on the top rating, Rayouni.
Both like a little dig in the ground, but hardly this much, and in the circumstances, it might be profitable to lean towards the Cambridgeshire winner, Quws, who may be the least inconvenienced by the going.
Maytpleasethecourt did this column a favour in Listowel when landing a mile handicap tidily, and although she has her share of weight in the final of the Derrinstown apprentice series, she could be up to doing something similar again.
After being hampered early, Maytpleasethecourt did well to finish third to Two Bandits and Puzzled Airs earlier this month, and with a clear run, looks a decent bet to beat Toast The Spreece and Wednesday's Gowran winner, Lady Oranswell.
The latter was ridden by Jamie Spencer, who switches to Maytpleasethecourt now. The youngster's move could be vindicated as Maytpleasethecourt's high cruising speed is proven on very soft ground, and if Spencer can leave his final challenge late, that could prove the vital weapon.
Spencer can notch a double, and bring his total for the season to 25, on Orange Grouse in the Listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes. Liam Browne's filly has won over the course and distance and ran a blinder to be second to Wizard King over seven furlongs at Tipperary. She looks the sort of in form filly to keep on the right side of.
