Can one-eyed Wren's Breath give Henry de Bromhead another big-race success?

Wednesday: 3.25 Doncaster
Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes | Group 3 | 7f | 3yo+ fillies and mares | Sky

Henry de Bromhead had a freak of a jumps season. He won the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and had the first two home in the Gold Cup and Grand National, so it probably shouldn’t be a surprise he has already added a big Flat prize to his haul this year.

The County Waterford-based trainer has sent only two runners across the Irish Sea to compete in British Group races this season, and Lismore belied a price of 14-1 when bolting up in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May. Flirting Bridge, De Bromhead’s other British runner this year, also ran well when midfield in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot at 50-1.

The trainer’s remarkable recent success means that anything he runs in Britain under any code should be taken seriously, and Wren’s Breath looks a particularly interesting runner.

The Elzaam filly is blind in one eye, but that didn’t stop Barshiba making it to the top a few years ago and Wren’s Breath quickened smartly to win a Listed race at Naas on her last start.

Hollie Doyle has her first ride for the De Bromhead yard on Wren’s Breath and the wide straight course at Doncaster might help the jockey steer a clear path on the filly, who reportedly struggles with spatial awareness because of her ailment. Let’s hope it doesn’t hold her back.

Wren’s Breath is a filly on the up after just two starts, but this is often won by a horse on the way down from the top level. Three of the last ten winners had previously run in a Group 1.

Just Beautiful was only two and a quarter lengths behind Snow Lantern when sixth in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July, and she followed that with a good second in Group 3 company at Deauville last month. A reproduction of either run will make her the one to beat.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

First for Furtado?

Trainer Ivan Furtado is hoping to bag his first Group win with Just Beautiful on the opening day of the St Leger Festival and could not be better placed as his yard is just 50 minutes by road from Town Moor.

Just Beautiful went a bit further than that when running at Deauville last time, where a slow pace may have been her undoing when she finished second to fellow British raider Cloudy Dawn in a Group 3.

Prior to that, Just Beautiful won a Listed race at Musselburgh and topped that with a close sixth to Snow Lantern in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July.

Furtado said: “We’ve never had a Group winner before but Just Beautiful gave us our first Listed win and hopefully she can do the business at Group level. They went too slow in France last time which cost her the race so hopefully she can go one better.”

What they say

Chris Wall, trainer of Double Or Bubble
She’s had three quick races in the space of a month but she’s taken them well and looks great. She likes seven furlongs and fast ground.

Double Or Bubble: three quick races in a monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

John Quinn, trainer of Highfield Princess
She ran very well to be second to Space Blues at York and this looks the ideal race for her back against the girls. The ground and trip look right and she goes there with a decent chance.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Glesga Gal
She has a bit to find on ratings, but she’s been placed in a couple of black type races and the plan would be to win one. She’s pleasing us at home and loves fast ground.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Loch Lein
She won a Listed race two starts ago and this is a step up in grade from that, but she's in good form and seven furlongs suits her well.

Nick Bell, assistant to Michael, trainer of Meu Amor
She’s new to the stable, but we like what we’ve seen at home and seven furlongs on fast ground should play to her strengths.

Chris Richardson, racing manager to Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Potapova
Fast ground is the key to her chances and it looks like she's going to get it. Dropping back in trip won't be a problem.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Sweet Enough
She has a progressive profile and won well at York last time. She’s earned the right to have a crack at some black type. It’s a competitive race but seven furlongs on a quick surface should suit.
Reporting by David Milnes

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