Can't Touch This

With an unbeaten record still intact after six starts, Nicholas Wrigley and Kevin Hart's upwardly-mobile Don't Touch (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) takes to The Curragh on Saturday to try his hand at pattern company in the G2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands S. at The Curragh. Extending his sequence on his first proper test in the Ayr Gold Cup H. over this six-furlong trip in September, the bay returned in the same heart to capture a potentially tricky conditions race at that distance at Haydock May 7, and will be a warm order to keep his perfect tally going. “It's a step-up in class, but he's entitled to go for it,” jockey Tony Hamilton commented. “His form's solid, so we'll see how we go. I didn't really know how he'd run at Haydock, as he's such a laid-back horse at home. We didn't really know where we were with him, but he only ever does enough and he's an exciting horse. Everything they put in front of him, he seems to find a way of beating them.”

Providing serious opposition is Ballylinch Stud's filly Fort Del Oro (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who dropped to five furlongs to win the Listed Woodlands S. at Naas on her seasonal bow Apr. 25, and whose career has been masterminded by Eddie Lynam of Sole Power (GB) and Slade Power (Ire) fame. Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}) is eight now and has to do a lot more than when last of eight on his return in the seven-furlong G3 Gladness S. here Apr. 3, but trainer Tom Hogan believes there is at least one more big occasion left in the multiple Group 1 winner. “We put a line through his first run and he's carrying a bit more condition than I'd like,” he said. “He'll improve for the run, I'd say, but he's in good form and we're happy to let him go. I've walked the track and it's in magnificent condition, but I'd doubt it still will be come the race, as we're forecast a fair bit.”