Lighting The Touchpaper
The appropriately named Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), which translates from Gaelic as “explosive”, will be a warm order to register a second triumph for breeder-trainer Jim Bolger in Thursday’s G2 Ribblesdale S. on Ladies Day at Royal Ascot, and is opposed by nine rivals in an intriguing renewal of the 12-furlong contest coming back from victory in last month’s G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh. The Coolcullen conditioner has forged a deserved reputation as an expert conditioner of rugged individuals, which includes the likes of Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley) and 2011 Ribblesdale victress Banimpire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), and he has fostered a plan of sending the latest product of his cradle-to-great emporium onwards to the June 27 G1 Irish Derby and July 18 G1 Irish Oaks after this gig. However, Pleascach–who was acquired by Godolphin after her Classic triumph–faces no straightforward task, and her mettle will be fully tested stepping back up in trip here. “Jim is very happy with her and she has obviously got Classic-winning form,” said Godolphin’s John Ferguson. “We feel this trip is within her compass and we’re looking forward to seeing her run.”
One of those bidding to pounce is the Susan Magnier colorbearer Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who was winless in three juvenile starts, but has been a revelation since being fitted with cheekpieces this term. Stepping up from a brace of Navan handicap wins earlier in the campaign, the David Wachman trainee usurped the boys when gamely succeeding in last month’s G3 Gallinule S. at The Curragh, and appears to be on a steep upward trajectory. “Curvy is in good form and we’re very happy with her at home,” confirmed Wachman. “We think she’ll get the mile-and-a-half, you don’t know until you try, but hopefully she will. She’s a good-actioned filly, so hopefully the ground will be fine. It’s a good race, there’s an Irish Guineas winner in it, so we’ll see what happens.”
John Gosden has garnered one prior edition, with Michita (Dynaformer) in 2008, and the Newmarket conditioner gets a chance to scratch that seven-year itch with a trio of runners, which includes Normandie Stud’s once-raced homebredGretchen (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who recovered from a slow start before bounding to an impressive debut score at her local track last month.
Luca Cumani’s resume has yet to include this distaffers’ test, but Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Pamona (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) is a live contender for the Newmarket-based Italian. Having shed maiden status in taking fashion at the expense of another Gosden representative, Entertainment (GB) (Halling), when attempting seven furlongs of Newmarket’s Rowley Mile for the second time last October, she had that rival in arrears once more when a promising third in Newbury’s Listed Fillies’ Trial on seasonal return last month. “Pamona is in very good form and is a filly that we are excited to see running over a mile-and-a-half for the first time,” said Highclere’s Harry Herbert. “I think she has got to improve 10 or 12 pounds again, which she has done in each race so far, but she could well find that for the step up in trip. Luca’s horses are in great form, so we hope she can be competitive. We really like her as she has got a great attitude and goes on any ground.”
Sir Robert Ogden’s homebred Pandora (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) backed up an early-season debut win at Doncaster by hitting the board in York’s G3 Musidora S. last month, and that form received a timely boost at the weekend when Star of Seville (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) was victorious in the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly. As with many in the field, she is no forlorn hope. “This race has always been the plan for her and we’re really looking forward to it,” said trainer Charlie Hills. “I think she goes there with a live chance; a mile-and-a-half will suit her, and she’ll love the fast ground.”