It has been a long time coming, but the public finally get the chance to witness the return of Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), Ballydoyle's 45 miles-per-hour horse, in Sunday's G3 EMS Copiers Lacken S. at Naas. Royal Ascot's G1 Commonwealth Cup has revolutionised the approach of trainers to the spring racing program and offers a real alternative to trying the mile Classics with dyed-in-the-wool sprinters. Once Aidan O'Brien decided to avoid the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains with last year's G1 Phoenix S. and G2 Coventry S. winner, his task was simplified. Despite the lack of opposition on a par with him on last year's evidence, this is very much a launchpad for the grey on ground he may not truly appreciate. “He seems to be in good form and he's just ready to start off,” his trainer commented. “He obviously hasn't run this year yet, but he seems to be in good form.”
Jessica Harrington has been enjoying a golden spell this year and relies on Khukri (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}), who beat the re-opposing Gorane (Ire) (Dream Ahead) in the Listed Coolmore Stud Power S. over nearly six furlongs at Navan on Apr. 23. “He did it well at Navan and he'll probably come on from that, as it was his first run of the year,” his trainer said. “Taking on Caravaggio, I'd say, is a big ask.” Sean Jones's Psychedelic Funk (GB) (Choisir {Aus}) was 4 3/4 lengths behind Caravaggio when third in the Coventry and was only 12th in the Power S., but Ger Lyons has long held him in high regard and he remains relatively unexposed.
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