Sunday belongs to the Curragh. Six races on our list from headquarters, with the supporting cast at Kelso and Uttoxeter, but make no mistake about where the heat is. This is a card built around Ballydoyle firepower and a Classic heroine returning to defend her reputation.
The afternoon builds nicely. Sun Goddess gets us underway at 1:45 and she looks the right sort to follow up a promising debut. A dead-heat for second at Naas over five furlongs, finishing with real purpose, and the step up to six should bring out more again. She is by Sioux Nation and the way she came home suggests the extra furlong is a help not a hindrance.
Half an hour later, Great Barrier Reef puts his unbeaten record on the line. He won here last month by four lengths over course and distance on soft ground, doing it green. O’Brien singled him out at the Flat season launch and the family points to better ground being no concern. A horse going places.
The feature is the rematch we wanted. True Love beat Precise in the 1,000 Guineas last time out, travelling strongly and staying on powerfully when it mattered. Precise had less race fitness that day and the bare form looks rock solid, with American Queen back in fourth. We have sided with the winner at a shorter price but kept Precise onside as a saver. If you only want one, True Love is the one. The Cheveley Park form sitting behind it tells you everything.
One Look adds another layer at 3:20. She returns from a break to a track she knows well, having landed a Group 3 over course and distance last year. Twomey has often found her best at a furlong further but she has the class edge here and rates a player off a fresh mark.
Away from the Curragh, The Kemble Brewery is the one to note at Kelso. He made all at Chepstow a month ago in first-time cheekpieces, going up 9lb for that but the headgear stays on. A lightly raced seven-year-old who looked better than ever last time. Uttoxeter brings First Candidate at a short price in the 2:22 and a couple of bigger-priced jumpers later on the card.
Yesterday gave us three winners with Starlight Sami leading the way at 6.5, backed up by Masterinthewoods and Comanche Brave, plus three placed runners including Command The Stars at a chunky 29. Onto today, and the Curragh will write most of the story.