Kevin Stott

Kevin Stott’s William Hill blog: Hoping to Thunder home at the Curragh

1 year ago

| BY News Team

William Hill ambassador previews his rides on the opening day of the Flat season from the Curragh on Saturday, and looks ahead to the horses he is most looking forward to this season.

Curragh, Saturday

I’ve a busy day ahead at the Curragh for the first Turf meeting of this year’s Flat season. I’m really looking forward to getting back on the grass for the first time, and to get on my first two-year-olds of 2023. The ground is heavy at the moment and there are still showers expected, so the ground will be really testing, which is not exactly ideal for the two-year-olds.

The first of my rides is in a two-year-olds’ race; Bucanero Fuerte at 1.40pm. I’ve never ridden him before but his homework has all been very good. He was bought as a yearling from ARQANA for 165,000 EUR, so he was expensive enough and is really well bred as a full brother to Wooded, who was a very good horse in France. He was a horse who got faster with age and could win on heavy ground. If he takes after his brother, Bucanero Fuerte should be able to handle the track pretty well.

Saliteh is next in a 5f handicap at 2.15pm. She’s only won one of her sixteen starts, but has run some pretty good races in defeat, which is reflected in her mark of 92. She’s been tried at a pretty high level so far and didn’t disgrace herself on her seasonal return at Dundalk last month, running fourth. The ground is a bit of a question, as she has run on soft at the Curragh before in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes (in which she was well beaten and finished 11th) but that was a much higher grade than she’s running in this weekend. Therefore, it’s not a total no-go for her.

Brasilian Princess runs in the fillies’ maiden at 2.50pm. This filly started life in the UK with Richard Hannon but, since being in Ireland with Adrian Murray, has run three nice races at Dundalk. She returns to the Turf here, but as she’s only ever run on good, good-to-firm or firm ground previously, the soft going will be a completely new thing for her. She’s got a mark of 74 now and may have a bit to find among her higher-rated competitors, but this might just be her opportunity to get her head in front for a win. Let’s see how she goes.

I’m then on Miami Thunder at 4.32pm in a maiden. It’s a big field of 20 runners, some of which have some fairly solid form, whereas others are still unexposed. We’ve got a mark of 77 already, which is solid enough, but he’ll have to build on that up against the likes of Broadhurst for Aidan O’Brien, who’ll probably be the one to beat. This is his first time running on the Turf, so let’s see how he handles the conditions and hope for the best.

Three-Year-Olds to look forward to this year

King Of Steel, trained by Roger Varian, won his maiden in October by an impressive 4¾ lengths. His ultimate aim will be the St Leger this year, so he’s definitely one to watch.

Crypto Force, trained by the Gosdens, actually beat Auguste Rodin on his debut as a two-year-old. He’s won a Group 2 race at the Curragh now too and has entries for the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Irish Derby. He should be hard to beat on his day.

Walbank, trained by David Loughnane, has never finished outside the first three in his four two-year-old starts. He’s rated 102 now and is expected to be just as consistent this year as he was in 2022.

Indestructable, trained by Karl Burke, is another who is rarely seen out of the placings. He has placed twice in Group company and might get a run in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket or the Curragh. I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s progressed from his two-year-old campaign.

Mammas Girl, for Richard Hannon, won her only start last year by two lengths. She was a bit keen then but didn’t run out of steam, so must have some engine! We might see her in the 1000 Guineas and she’s looking very promising.

Forca Timao, another for Richard Hannon, won his second start as a two-year-old and certainly shows some promise. He’s likely to sidestep the Guineas and will probably be taking a step up in trip this season. Hopefully he can build on his strong performance last time out.

Olivia Maralda, for Roger Varian, won a race at Newbury last year by a huge seven lengths and finished the season rated 105. She had plenty of racing last year with six starts and will only have got stronger for this season so she should be very exciting.

Older horses to look forward to this year

Mojo Star, a five-year-old with Richard Hannon, was second to Kyprios by just half a length in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year. He’s shown himself to be a great stayer and should be a serious player this year.

Raadobarg has recently switched to George Boughey. He slightly lost his way last season after two good wins at the Curragh and Tipperary. He’s been gelded ahead of this season, which should help keep his mind on the job! He could well get back to winning form in 2023.

Great Max, trained by Alice Haynes, won his first start as a two-year-old and went straight into Listed and Group company. He’s another who should benefit from being gelded last year and may have his seasonal return in the Lincoln next month.