Diamond Mining

No match for Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) but far from disgraced when second in the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville last time Aug. 23, Al Shaqab Racing’s Gutaifan (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is back into his comfort zone in Friday’s G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster. Previously successful in the July 26 G2 Prix Robert Papin over 5 1/2 furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte, the grey received a boost last month when that race’s runner-up Ajaya (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) ran away with the G2 Gimcrack S. The owner’s racing manager Harry Herbert commented, “He worked well on Tuesday morning and Richard Hannon is very pleased with him. He ran a terrific race behind Shalaa in the Prix Morny. We will give it a good go and see if we can add another title to his name.” Hannon also has Log Out Island (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who is beginning to look exposed after four straight defeats including a latest second to the leading French filly Yakaba (Fr) (Medicean {GB}) in Deauville’s Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge over this trip on heavy ground Aug. 15. Ireland has a strong representation, with the Aug. 22 G3 Curragh S. first and second Bear Cheek (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Independence Day (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) renewing rivalry in the race that the latter’s full-brother Requinto (Ire) was so impressive in four years ago. The former sports the Qatar Racing silks and is unbeaten in two starts for the Ger Lyons barn.