Leading Light was the star name of the Irish racing week and he didn't disappoint. In his usual lazy style he beat the dependable Royal Diamond and Pale Mimosa. Looking further back we find more dependable stayers albeit in handicaps or on the verge of Listed class in Sir Ector and Leah Clare and that gives the form an all round solid look. The fact that Leading Light gave away weight to all his rival makes the performance even more meritorious. Combine that with the improvement that could be forth coming when you consider Aidan O'Brien's training style and it is easy to see why he is a 2/1 shot for the Ascot Gold Cup. But enough about favourites for big races, let's go back down the ladder to see if we can find one or two that are in the ascendency.
Nass 14/5/14
The 3yo handicap over 6f can often prove to be a hot event and Due Diligence turned out to be a very smooth winner. The 2nd Wind Inher Sleeves is a likeable filly who is improving with racing. Initially I figured she was a 5f filly after what seemed to be a non-staying performance behind Sparrow in a Curragh back-end maiden and a win over the turning 5 in Dundalk in a quick time but this run suggests that 6f is no problem. It was a little disappointing the way she travelled in the yielding to soft ground and maybe she will prove even better back on a fast surface but it could also have been down to the lack of a recent run with the market suggesting that not a huge amount was expected. She has moved to Mick Halford's stable over the winter and that should bring about even more improvement. Wind Inher Sleeves looks like one to follow and it would not surprise if she ended up a Pattern filly.
Navan 18/5/14
There was what seemed to be an overly strong early pace in the 5f handicap and Greek Canyon comes out of it with a lot of credit. With the pace, no recent run and the trip being short of his best it looks like he could be one to follow in the short term for something like the 7f handicap in Naas on June Bank Holiday weekend. The form also looks solid with More Questions looking like a Navan specialist making her difficult to beat there when in form and the 2nd Seanie who is a well handicapped bag of quirks but does seem to respond well to aggressive riding tactics. Seanie could also be a horse to follow but he should definitely carry a wealth warning given his wayward antics and win record.
The 13f maiden was a very informative race and Karezak is a pretty obvious but creditable eye-catcher. His 2yo form leaves a lot to be desired but is possibly explainable by the fact that John Oxx's stable had a virus last season. This run was a massive step up from the Azamour colt on form, he travelled a little keenly throughout which is understandable given it was he is first start of the year and even though he came off the bridle turning in it was impressive the way he and John Constable pulled clear. Karezak was idling inside the last furlong too and may have something to learn just yet. He got beaten by a horse who relished the step up in trip and he also had the disadvantage of not having a recent run unlike his main rivals. Add in that Oxx's horses have been improving significantly for a run this season and a maiden looks a certainty. It wouldn't surprise me if he ended up winning the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh on Derby weekend.
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