'He's very nice, but this is a big step up' - Irish Lincolnshire winner returns

Wednesday: 4.15 Leopardstown
Gradguide Heritage Stakes (Listed) | 1m | 4yo+ | RTV

As stable debuts go, they don't come much more dazzling than the one produced by Raadobarg on his first start for Johnny Murtagh in the Irish Lincolnshire last month.

Having been available at double figures the night before, Raadobarg was backed all the way down to 9-2 favourite and duly obliged in emphatic fashion. He won that hot 26-runner handicap off a mark of 98 and now steps into stakes company for the first time with his rating revised to 107.

He looks an out-and-out miler who will relish any rain that falls, and it would be foolish to think he cannot take the step up in grade in his stride. He is a fascinating four-year-old.

With a mark of 111, Cadillac is the highest-rated runner in the line-up. He was last seen finishing fifth to Lord Glitters in the Bahrain International Trophy and was considered good enough to tackle the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf as a two-year-old.

He might not have progressed the way trainer Jessica Harrington had hoped following his Group 2 win at Leopardstown as a juvenile on Irish Champions Weekend, but he remains a colt of significant quality.

Pearls Galore was Mrs Consistency last season. Her form figures prior to the Breeders' Cup Mile read 31122. She didn't disgrace herself at Del Mar, either, being beaten just three lengths by Space Blues. Another successful season looks in store.

This is a classy Listed contest and Cadillac might be the classiest of the lot.

What they say

Shane Foley, rider of Cadillac
He’s done well from three to four. I don’t think we ever really got a straight, clean run with him last season but he seems to be training good.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Pearls Galore
It's a competitive race but it's a nice place for her to start off her season and I'm happy with her. She's in good form at home.

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Pretreville and Saltonstall
The ground will suit Pretreville better than Saltonstall. Pretreville goes well fresh and was unlucky to bump into a very good French horse [Pao Alto] in Doha earlier on in the year. That form has worked out well and I'd be hoping for a good run. Saltonstall returned well enough in the Lincoln [seventh] and I'd hoping hoping he'll be there to pick up any pieces.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Raadobarg
He's very well. I haven't done a whole lot with him since the Lincoln but he's fresh and seems very well in himself. He's a very nice horse, but this is a big step up in class.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Neptune Rock
She's in good shape at home and seems to have matured well from last year. It's a very hot Listed race but we're hoping we can sneak some black type.

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