Found In Deep

Unlike Saturday’s colts’ Classic, which appears cut-and-dried, Sunday’s G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh looks a stronger affair with little deadwood among the 18 fillies confirmed. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has drawn five under Ryan Moore and is the likely favorite on the basis of her success in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp in October, with Flaxman Stables’ representative Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}) close behind. Having impressed when winning the Apr. 18 Listed Salsabil S. over 10 furlongs at Navan, which has been advertised by the subsequent G3 Blue Wind S. and Listed Cheshire Oaks-winning exploits of Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), respectively, the Niarchos Family’s colorbearer should have no problem with this reversion to a mile. 

“Bocca Baciata has just been ticking over since the Salsabil and I think she is one of those which seems to go on any ground,” trainer Jessica Harrington said, before turning her attention to Gerard Byrne’s G3 Silver Flash S. winner Jack Naylor (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). “I’ve never actually worked them together, as they came at different times last year and Jack Naylor was out much earlier,” she added. “Jack Naylor was meant to run in the Blue Wind S., but the ground was heavy so we didn’t run her, which means she’s going there without a run. All Jack’s form is good and she’s not over-big, so I don’t think going there without a run will worry her. The way she is bred, she’s a real mile-and-a-half filly, so she amazed me last year that she was able to win over six.” 

Jon and Julia Aisbitt’s Malabar (GB) (Raven’s Pass) represents the form of the G1 1000 Guineas, having finished fourth in that May 3 Newmarket Classic. She was in the same position in the Marcel Boussac behind Found, the subsequent G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches heroine Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Jack Naylor and connections are typically game in having another go. 

“She’s great and has come on plenty for the Guineas,” trainer’s son and assistant Mick Channon Jr commented. “It was a great reappearance, looking a little bit out-paced all the way but she never folded on us. We know she needs stepping up in trip, but this is worth going for and a bit of softer ground will help her.”