Jane Mangan’s William Hill Blog: Midnight can Strike again

Saturday, Curragh

It’s Irish Guineas weekend, so where better to start than with Saturday’s Classic, the Irish 2000 Guineas (3.40pm)? The race has attracted a field of eight runners and it’s great to have the pair from Richard Hannon’s coming over, having finished second and third in the Newmarket edition. I think Rosallion can go one better, his being the standout performance of the season so far. He was a top drawer two-year-old and his trainer has never hidden his affection for him. I think his performance at Newmarket suggests that he is the one they all have to beat here.

The Greenlands Stakes (2.30pm) is a fantastic renewal with a number of UK representatives and a strong home contingent, led by Matilda Picotte, but five of Art Power’s nine career wins have come in Ireland, thus he loves to travel. He’s a Group One winner from last season on British Champions Day and he excels at the Curragh, with four of those five wins having come there. Despite having to give three pounds to Shouldvebeenaring and six pounds to the mare, I think Art Power for Tim Easterby and David Allan is a fantastic horse; the sort you’d love to own and he’s my idea of the winner here.

The Marble Hill (1.55pm) for two-year-olds is a fascinating race. Camille Pissarro was so impressive at Navan, taking on Arizona Blaze and Midnight Strike, and it’s Midnight Strike who I’m going to come down on. I was at the Curragh when he won in April, beating subsequent impressive winner Treasure Isle, and I liked the way he quickened and hit the line comfortably on soft-to-heavy ground, but I think quicker conditions will suit him because he’s all speed.

Saturday, Goodwood

Over to the UK, the Height Of Fashion (2.05pm) is always a fabulous race with a view to the rest of the season and, while I was disappointed with Regal Jubilee in the Newmarket 1000 Guineas, if you go back to her Fred Darling form, she deserves another chance. She had Elmalka behind her on that occasion, who was arguably a bit unlucky that day, but they still went to the line together, which proves that Regal Jubilee’s run at Newmarket was neither her real form nor a true reflection of her ability, so I think she can make up for that disappointment here.

Saturday, Haydock

At Haydock, the Temple Stakes (1.50pm) sees the return of a number of high profile sprinters, including Rogue Lightning, who – when we last saw him – was beaten less than two lengths by Highfield Princess in the Prix de l’Abbaye. The third that day, Aesop’s Fables, has subsequently won and franked the form and I think the selection, with his rating of 112, should be able to concede weight to many of his rivals here.