News round-up: Indesatchel agonisingly failed by a whisker to provide his young trainer David Wachman with a first Classic success when beaten by the Godolphin favourite Shamardal in yesterday's French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp.
The Irish horse came from the rear of the field to launch a storming challenge in the straight but it wasn't quite enough to overhaul the winner who made all the running under Frankie Dettori to win by a head.
The Aidan O'Brien pair of Dark Cheetah and Cougar Cat were well beaten, but for the second year running Indesatchel's rider, Jamie Spencer, was left cursing his luck in the Poule D'Essai des Poulains. Last season Antonius Pius threw away a chance by colliding with the rails and this time Spencer believed a 14 draw cost him dearly.
"With my draw I couldn't ride any other race than the one I did. It's very frustrating, but I had to use too much energy to get to Shamardal," he said. "I'm just surprised nobody took him on earlier." Last season's champion two-year-old got a solo in front and held on tenaciously considering his three-year-old career got off to such a bad start when failing on dirt in Dubai.
"Everything that could go wrong in Dubai went wrong," said the Godolphin spokesman Simon Crisford. "He is entered in everything, from the St James's Palace Stakes to the Derby."
Famously Dettori has yet to win the Derby, but some bookmakers reacted to Shamardal's success by going as low as 10 to 1 for Epsom.
"The plan wasn't to make it but he broke so well," said the Italian star. "He got a little tired in the last 100 yards, but he had enough to hold on."
It was third Guineas triumph for the Godolphin team after Vettori (1995) and Bachir (2000) and very welcome following a slow start to their European campaign.
Aidan O'Brien had better luck in the Poule D'Essai des Pouliches with Silk And Scarlet running fourth and possibly earning a tilt at the Epsom Oaks.
However, there was only winner yesterday as Divine Proportions sauntered home after taking a lead from the other O'Brien filly Cherokee to the straight.
"She is a phenomenon. I have not trained a filly like her and the way she ran today indicates she has stamina," said her trainer Pascal Bary.
A quick reappearance in Sunday's Irish Guineas was immediately ruled out, but Divine Proportions could run next in either the French Oaks or remain at a mile for the Coronation Stakes.
O'Brien said: "The plan was for Cherokee to set the pace and she did a good job, particularly for the winner. Silk And Scarlet ran well and could head for the Oaks."
The ground is forecast to be on the quick side at Roscommon this evening which will be good news for those wanting to back Euro Leader in the featured €20,000 handicap chase. Ruby Walsh's mount has been running reasonably well in some of the top novice events recently including behind Like-A-Butterfly in the Powers Gold Cup.
Last time out Euro Leader was fourth in the Swordlestown Cup at Punchestown behind War Of Attrition and there is little doubt but that this classy sort will relish a good surface tonight.
Kieren Fallon be at Roscommon for the ride on the Aidan O'Brien-trained Hippodrome in the mile and a half maiden. Some fancy entries looked distinctly hopeful on Hippodrome's debut when he could only manage 10th behind Fracas in a Leopardstown maiden. However, he was beaten less than 10 lengths and with the improvement the Ballydoyle horses are showing for a run he looks well worth a look in this company. The Daylami newcomer Virginia Woolf could be the danger.
Lemonfield's second to Toofarback at Punchestown is an impressive bit of form for the bumper but being by Roselier is a worry on quick ground. Another option is La Dearg.
Michael Kinane can land a double with Lady Singspiel in the the opener and Auburn Lodge in the first division of the mile and a half handicap.
