Make A Challenge faces big test as A'Ali adds spice to Sapphire Stakes

Holden Plant Rentals Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Denis Hogan has been running wild with his sprinters in Ireland over the past year but Make A Challenge, viewed by many as a potential top performer, will face his biggest test against British raider A’Ali.

For all the people who are convinced that Make A Challenge can develop into a top-level sprinter, there are as many who view him as a big fish in a notoriously small pond, as Ireland’s sprinters, as a collective at least, are hardly top of the pops.

Since opening his account off a mark of 68 last year, Make A Challenge has won seven more races, all in Ireland, but he came up short both times he was sent on his travels.

Indeed, it is hard to be too critical of either performance. In the Group 1 sprint on British Champions Day at Ascot, Make A Challenge travelled powerfully before weakening at the business end while his sixth in the Group 3 in Doha came on unsuitable ground.

Make A Challenge: is bidding for a first Group race success in the Sapphire StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

A'Ali was a high-class juvenile, having won the Norfolk States at last year's royal meeting, and bounced right back to form when landing the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown a fortnight ago. He will ask some serious questions of Make A Challenge in the Sapphire Stakes.

The market has it billed as a two-horse race, with A'Ali likely to go off favourite, and it is hard to disagree with that synopsis, especially with the speedster getting 4lb from Make A Challenge.

What they say

Denis Hogan, trainer of Make A Challenge
We're not sorry we supplemented him but we're sorry A'Ali was supplemented. He's in good nick, we don't gallop him much at home these days as he's doing all his work at the weekends, but we're happy with him. It won't be easy giving A'Ali the weight and he was very impressive at Sandown, but it's worth a shot and a wise man once told me never to be afraid of one horse.

Ed Crisford, co-trainer of A'Ali
He won well at Sandown from a decent draw and this looks the right race for him. He worked nicely on Wednesday and we couldn't be happier with him.

Southern Hills: won the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Southern Hills
He's in good form. We were a bit disappointed with his run at Newmarket but we think he can leave that behind him and dropping back to five will suit.

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