Saddadd (Ire)

Ed Walker has long sung the praises of Almaqam (Lope De Vega) and although the elusive Group 1 win took its time coming, it all fell into place for the stable star on Sunday as he bossed The Curragh's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Making his seasonal return in the 10 1/2-furlong prize, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's homebred who had last been seen finishing third in the Champion Stakes in October was moved up to shadow the Ballydoyle pacemaker with Kieran Shoemark confident in his readiness. Taking command approaching the two-furlong...

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Roger Varian trainee Saddadd (Pinatubo), who hit the board in September's Listed Foundation Stakes at Goodwood when last seen, found the necessary gears to claim a career high in Friday's G3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown. "He's an absolute darling of a horse and has the most delightful attitude," claimed trainer Roger Varian. "He won here like a really good horse last September and I think he was just over the top in a very strong Listed at Goodwood. I liked the way he put...

4th-Newbury, £40,000, Cond, 4-11, 3yo, 10fT, 2:07.36, gd. GETHIN (IRE) (c, 3, Ghaiyyath {Ire}--Aniseed {Ire} {MSP-Eng}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), off the mark by six lengths on testing ground at Nottingham in October, took a keen hold throughout the early stages even after being handed a lead from Falconer (GB) (New Bay {GB}). Marginally in front approaching the two-furlong pole as that 9-4 favourite sadly broke down, the 7-2 shot had plenty in reserve to stretch to a 3 1/2-length verdict over Saddadd (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}). "He's a horse we've always...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 7.30 Kempton, Cond, £60,000, 3yo, 8f (AWT) OPERA BALLO (IRE) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) takes in this "European Road To The Kentucky Derby" Conditions Stakes which tends to have little or no bearing on that monument but which 12 months ago...

When City Of Troy (Justify) and his entourage descended on Southwell for a racecourse gallop on that feel-good afternoon back in September, it was commented on that the number of racing fans there to see him--thought to be 700-plus--was larger than would usually turn up for a typical day of racing there. The Nottinghamshire track traditionally staged low-grade fare which offered no real prospect of seeing a horse with talent even remotely comparable to that of the Derby winner. It was also commented on that the test provided by the...