PartialLogo
Previews

Irish Guineas runner-up Could It Be Love brings Classic form to Group 3 clash

Could Be Love( far side) finishing second in Irish 1.000 Guineas
Could Be Love( far side) finishing second in Irish 1.000 GuineasCredit: Caroline Norris

5.35 Ascot
Jersey Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 3yo | ITV/RUK

Traditionally the first race on this card, the Jersey Stakes moves to the end of the day two programme, and its big field includes a particularly intriguing runner in St Patrick's Day, a brother to US Triple Crown hero American Pharoah.

He will be making his European debut after transferring from Bob Baffert's stable.

That debut had meant to be at Leopardstown last week but the colt banged his head in the stalls and had to be withdrawn – hopefully there won't be any drama this time around.

St Patrick's Day is one of two runners for Aidan O'Brien, whose Could It Be Love, the mount of Ryan Moore, brings Classic form to the race following her second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
St Patrick's Day: is a brother to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah
St Patrick's Day: is a brother to Triple Crown winner American PharoahCredit: Rob Carr

The trainer said: "St Patrick's Day banged his head in the stalls and hit his sinus when he was due to have his first run for us at Leopardstown last Thursday.

"There was a little blood in a nostril and he had to be withdrawn. He seems fine, and hopefully he'll go well, but he should come on a ton for the run."

He added: "Could It Be Love ran a stormer when second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and we think that dropping down to seven furlongs will suit her well."


Jersey boy

Sir Michael Stoute, who was won the Jersey five times – with Etienne Gerard (1977), Hard Fought (1980), Zilzal (1989), Among Men (1997) and Jeremy (2006) – this year saddles Expert Eye, who was so impressive was he in his first two races as a juvenile but has not been able to replicate that this season.


What they say

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Arbalet
He hates Newmarket and ran very badly there twice, so we went to Carlisle for a confidence-booster, which worked out nicely, and he seems to have come on for it. Collateral form is always slightly suspect but if he hadn't run badly twice at Newmarket I think his price would be closer to Purser's, who finished fourth behind him at Sandown, when we were third to Masar. Take Arbalet out and it looks one of the better two-year-old races run last year. I think he's a very big price, I can't believe he's good enough to win, but he's still a very big price.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Brother Bear
This is a very hot race but he's been in really good form since winning a Listed race over the trip at Naas last time. He was fourth in the Coventry last year and ran to his mark at Naas. I'll be delighted if he produces a similar performance.
Emaraaty in winning action at Newbury last year
Emaraaty: has always been high regarded and very nearly defied a high mark last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

John Gosden, trainer of Emaraaty and Purser
Emaraaty ran a great race when just touched off in a handicap at Goodwood last time and is a hold-up horse so will need to get the splits. He's training well at home, as is Purser, who is a different type in that he likes to be up there. Both should like the ground.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Khalid Abdullah, owner of Expert Eye
Sir Michael [Stoute] has been happy with Expert Eye. Obviously the horse has been a bit of a quandary for us and we've been trying to get him back to the spectacular form he showed at Goodwood. We are hopeful, although it's not a given. But he's in good shape and everyone seems happy.

Wesley Ward, trainer of HempHemp Hurray
He'd be the longest outside chance of what we have. He's a talented horse and an extremely good sprinter. I think he'll do us proud.

William Haggas, trainer of Society Power and Headway
Society Power is up from handicaps so it's going to be interesting with him. He's gone through his handicaps well, but at the weights he's got no chance of beating Emaraaty. However, he's a horse who seems to know where the winning post is and we hope Jamie Spencer will be a good fit as he rides the track very well and the horse doesn't mind waiting a bit. Headway ran badly in the 2,000 Guineas but was impressive at Lingfield and we've earmarked this race since Newmarket. Hopefully he'll love the fast ground. He's in great form and we're hopeful he'll run a good race.
CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 25:  Andrea Atzeni riding Society Power (yellow) win The Netbet Sport Handicap Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse on May 25, 2018 in Chichester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Society Power: has been progressing wellCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Symbolization and Glorious Journey
The Irish Guineas trip just extended Symbolization far enough at that level. Coming back in trip doesn’t worry me and he goes in there with a nice bit of experience. He’s going to be a player. Glorious Journey’s two runs this year haven’t been disappointing. In hindsight we might have stretched him over nine furlongs in France, but that was still solid form. So we’ve dropped him in trip and put him in blinkers rather than cheekpieces. If he produces the work we see at home I think the style of the race will suit him and he might come into his own at the end of the race.

Martyn Meade, trainer of Walk In The Sun
He’s been with us for three months and I suppose the first question is, what's he like on turf? Luckily we have the facilities and he’s acquitted himself very well against the horses I’ve worked him with on the turf. He was in the St James’s Palace. That would have been a big ask, but I think he has every chance of going really close here on the basis of his home work.


Read exclusive previews of Royal Ascot from 6pm tonight on racingpost.com


Tony O'HehirRacing Post Reporter

Published on 19 June 2018inPreviews

Last updated 17:34, 20 June 2018

iconCopy