Uncovered Gem

Labeled a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after a compelling debut success over a mile at The Curragh Oct. 13, Michael Tabor’s Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is primed to bid for a fifth renewal of Sunday’s G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud for Aidan O’Brien. With the form subsequently boosted, the full-brother to Highland Reel (Ire) is one of the more exciting of Ballydoyle’s 2016 Derby prospects at this stage but he must overcome some proven performers headed by the Aug. 23 Listed Criterium de FEE and Oct. 5 G3 Prix de Conde scorer Robin of Navan (Fr) (American Post {GB}). In the latter contest over nine furlongs at Chantilly, the British-trained colt had Godolphin’s Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) 3 1/2 lengths back in third but the latter is favored by a four-pound swing at the weights this time. From Germany is Darius Racing’s Isfahan (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}), who established himself at the forefront of his generation when winning Cologne’s G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten over a mile Oct. 11, while Alain Michel Haddad’s Prix de Conde runner-up Millfield (Fr) (Whipper) may be more effective under less forcing tactics than were employed last time.