Alenquer (right) gets the better of High Definition
Sunday Curragh review: Reports, reaction and free replays including Tattersalls Gold Cup
By Sporting Life
17:16 · SUN May 22, 2022
Gold glory for Alenquer and Haggas
The remarkable run of form being enjoyed by trainer William Haggas showed no signs of stopping on Sunday as Alenquer won the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
The Newmarket handler has made a sensational start to the summer campaign right across Europe, including stable star Baaeed winning last Saturday's Lockinge Stakes, and earlier on Sunday tasted more top-level success through Maljoom in the German 2000 Guineas.
Meanwhile at the Curragh it was the turn of Alenquer to shine on the big stage as the four-year-old dug deep in the closing stages to overhaul the gallant High Definition, who had set out to make all the running under Ryan Moore.
Tom Marquand had Aidan O'Brien's charge in his sights from a fair way out on Alenquer, locking horns with Lord North in their bid to reel in the strong-staying pace enforcer from the two-furlong marker.
State Of Rest also looked dangerous challenging on the outside of that pair but - in typical Haggas fashion at present - it was Alenquer who stuck to the task best of all, just edging ahead approaching the winning post to score by a neck from largely unconsidered 20/1 chance High Definition.
There was another neck back to State Of Rest - the 2/1 joint-favourite along with Lord North - back in third.
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Sky Bet reacted by making Alenquer 7/1 from 12/1 for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, while Paddy Power went 6/1 for the same race and Betfair clipped the winner to 6/1 from 14/1 for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park.
Marquand told RTE: “That’s my first ride in Ireland, I didn’t even know the way to the start an hour ago!
“This horse had a trip over to Dubai in the winter and he ran super over there and we had excuses.
“We always thought we would win a Group One over a mile and a half. Today being a mile and a quarter is hopefully a sign there are better things to come from him.
“He’s hardy and that was a great performance. He really had to dig deep there and it is a stiff last furlong.
“To be honest, I was always really happy. As playful as he might be, he really digs deep when he has to. It is wonderful for William Haggas and the team at home because he is not the easiest.”
Alenquer gets the better of High Definition at the Curragh
“He was marvellous. He’s a very brave horse and it was a cracking race. He was given a fantastic ride,” said Haggas from his Newmarket base.
“I think a really strong run 10-furlongs is ideal for him and that was the case today, he kept going, he’s so, so tough.
“I actually think he’ll be better with a bit more dig in the ground but how can I say that, he’s won really nicely.”
Alenquer holds entries in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, but Haggas would favour skipping the meeting and waiting for the Coral-Eclipse a couple of weeks later on July 2.
“I’d fancy the Eclipse myself, but I haven’t discussed that with anyone else,” said Haggas.
“I think the Eclipse is the right race for him. It’s been an extraordinary couple of weeks, we’re just pinching ourselves to be honest.”
Pearls Galore lands the odds in Lanwades
Pearls Galore was made to pull out all the stops by Emphatic Answer in the Lanwades Stud Stakes but ultimately prevailed for Billy Lee and Paddy Twomey.
Sent off the heavily backed 8/11 favourite for the Curragh Group Two, the five-year-old was twice a runner-up in Group One company last season and returned to action with a win in Listed company at Leopardstown.
Back up in grade the expectation was that she would outclass her rivals with only Joseph O’Brien’s Twilight Spinner challenging her in the market.
But it was Twilight Spinner’s stablemate Emphatic Answer who proved the toughest nut to crack, with Dylan Browne McMonagle riding a canny race from the front.
While Pearls Galore always looked likely to reel in the leader, it was only deep inside the final furlong that she eventually got on top.
The favourite was eventually going away on crossing the line, winning by a neck with Sh Boom a further two lengths away in third.
Pearls Galore was cut to 14/1 from 20s for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
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“She’s tough and improving all the time. She does what she has to do and enjoys racing,” said Twomey.
“She’s won her Group Two now so we’ll have to try to win a Group One.
“The fillies races through the summer – the Falmouth, the Prix Rothschild and the Matron – maybe the Foret and the Breeders Cup Mile, that sort of programme we are looking at with her.”
Lyons at the double
Zarinsk showed plenty of determination to make just about all the running in the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
There was not much form to go on among the 13 runners meaning plenty of guesswork was needed but the fact that the two with previous experience, Finsceal Go Deo and Tanaiyla, were ultimately well beaten suggests the front three, who pulled nicely clear, all look above average.
Plenty of attention pre-race was on Michael O’Callaghan’s Olivia Maralda as she cost 460,000 guineas and is owned in a partnership which includes Amo Racing and the footballer Philippe Coutinho.
She was sent off the 2/1 favourite, with Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story next best in the market at 3/1, and it was that pair who gave chase in vain to the Ger Lyons-trained 8/1 winner, who runs in the Juddmonte silks.
The Kodiac filly took two lengths out of her pursuers entering the final furlong and gave plenty for Colin Keane, holding on from the favourite by a neck.
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“She’s a lovely, honest filly but she hasn’t come in her coat. I’ve been very patient with my fillies and it’s great to start one here this weekend,” said Lyons.
“There is so much improvement in her coat-wise and everything, and she’ll be better on nicer ground.
“She had to do it the hard way which I don’t like doing, but when Colin is riding them he has free rein to do what he wants.
“What she has learned from it we won’t know because she had to do it all on her own, but she hit the line strong. I can see buckets of improvement because she is still very much a work in progress.
“I won’t rush her back, she will tell me. The one thing Colin said is she rides weak so we will bear that in mind.”
Pirate Jenny wins at the Curragh
Lyons and Keane quickly doubled up when Pirate Jenny made a winning reappearance in the William Hill Acca Club Irish EBF Fillies Handicap.
Having just the third race of her life, the 5/2 favourite looked well handicapped on a mark of 88 and a step up in class now beckons.
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“To be black-type hunting we thought she had to win this. We had a little hold up with her in the spring so she’ll come on plenty for that. She got tired but still got the job done,” said Lyons.
“These fillies we keep in training we’re always looking for black type and she needs to improve again but we are on the right road.”
Keane brings up Sunday treble
Jockey Colin Keane made it a treble on the afternoon aboard the Sarah Lynam-trained Additional in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Habitat” Handicap.
Second on his final two starts for Martyn Meade last season, the Night Of Thunder gelding again had to make do with the runner-up spot on his first start for his new connections at Naas last month.
A 9/1 shot for this €50,000 contest, Additional was strongly pressed by Mickey The Steel inside the last of six furlongs but fought him off to prevail by a neck.
Lynam said: “I thought he might win the first day in Naas, but he probably needed it. He was very fresh and keen.
“He’s a lovely horse but was just a bit buzzy and I thought if we could get a handle on him then he could win one of these. I’m delighted as it’s the biggest race I’ve won and it’s great for my uncle John (Lynam, owner) who has been very supportive.”
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