Broome can sweep up another Group 3 prize in Alleged Stakes

3.10 Curragh
Holden Plan Rentals Alleged Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2f | 4yo+ | RTV

Broome was presumably kept in training to mop up races like this and he looked better than ever when making a winning reappearance in a Listed event at Naas last month.

The son of Australia was sent off 4-1 for the 2019 Derby after winning the Ballysax and Derrinstown on the way and he only went down by half-a-length to stablemate Anthony Van Dyck in a blanket finish to a most thrilling running of the world's most famous Flat race.

Since then things have not gone according to plan for Broome. A disappointing display in the Irish Derby concluded his Classic campaign and we only saw him twice last year.

The fact he came back again as a five-year-old suggested Aidan O'Brien did not think we had seen the best of him at three or four and the decision to keep him in training now looks a masterstroke after he stormed clear up the home straight at Naas.

That was only his third try over 1m2f, a trip over which he is unbeaten. Indeed, his three best performances have been over ten furlongs so perhaps O'Brien has found the key to him.

King Of Comedy: needs to improve on his first run for Jessica HarringtonCredit: Edward Whitaker

The ratings suggest he will be very hard to beat. His mark of 115 is 4lb superior to anything else and King of Comedy, the second highest-rated, cut little ice on his debut for Jessica Harrington when tenth to him at Naas.

The ground would not have been to the ex-John Gosden-trained five-year-old's liking there but he still has a massive 18 lengths to find here.

Up Helly Aa always looked the type who would improve with age and he was backed from double figures all the way into 100-30 favourite for that Naas contest won by Broome.

He travelled fine into race but did not pick up when it mattered and it is interesting to see Willie McCreery apply a visor for the first time. He is not one to give up on.

Neither is Numerian, who has some cracking runs to his name from last season and deserves the benefit of the doubt after a tame return in that aforementioned Naas Listed prize.

It is all about Broome, though. If he can repeat his impressive Naas performance on this much quicker ground he is going to be very hard to beat.

The Dream is still alive for Meade

Noel Meade might be better known for his exploits in the other code but the multiple champion jumps trainer has sent out 55 Flat winners in Ireland over the last five season and in Helvic Dream he now has a proven Group performer.

That much was made clear last October when the son of Power stormed clear of Up Helly Aa to win the Group 3 International Stakes by seven and a half lengths. It saw his rating soar from 100 to 110.

Noel Meade: trainer of Helvic DreamCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He has been a bit disappointing in Listed level since but he can be forgiven his comeback at Naas as it got very tight up the home straight and Meade is expecting an improved showing here.

Meade said: "He's well and I hope the ground does not dry out too much for him. Look, we were very disappointed with him the last day but he's been in good shape since and I'm hoping you'll see a different performance here."

What they say

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Bowerman
He's up against it but he's working great and he always gives his all. We said we'd let him take his chance and hopefully he will pick up a bit of prize-money.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Broome
We were delighted to see him win at Naas because nothing went right for him last year and we felt he was in a good place to start this season. He has been doing everything very nicely and we're very happy with him. This is obviously different ground that he has to contend with here but we're very happy with how he is.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of King Of Comedy and Njord
King Of Comedy ran for us at Naas at the beginning of the season but it was on very soft ground which he didn't like. He's been in good form since and I think he'll run much better here. Njord is going to comete on all these sorts of races this season, he has nothing to lose by running in them.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Numerian, Pondus and Thundering Nights
Numerian ran a good race at Naas on his reappearance. We think he's come forward from that run and hopefully he runs well again in what looks a very competitive race. Pondus did well in Australia last year and we're looking forward to getting him started back. This course and distance will suit Thundering Nights well. She did well for us last year.

More to read of Saturday's previews. . .

Tony Carroll raring to go as Brighton stages first fixture since October 2019

Graeme Rodway is on the hunt for Royal Ascot hopefuls in hot handicap

O'Brien brings Lancaster House back to defend his Gladness Stakes crown

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