ST MARK’S BASILICA is the real deal. I’m in no doubt.
Some will suggest a poor time and the closeness for El Drama to the big three in Saturday’s Coral Eclipse provide doubt into the credit of the performance of Aidan O’Brien’s star three-year-old colt. But I’m not a doubter in anyway.
The Dewhurst winner is now the outstanding Classic colt of 2021, and a mixture of speed and stamina means he’s the ultimate racehorse.
If he was upped to a mile and a half you would not rule him out in the King George, yet if he dropped to a mile in the Sussex you would be equally confident.
Should be head for the Juddmonte International he’ll be hard to beat. Considering the disappointing runs of Wembley and slightly less so Battle ground this season O’Brien will be a relieved man.
As the Ballydoyle maestro also has Love in his stable he has two monsters to go to war with for the rest of the campaign. Love is set to face Addeybb, the Eclipse second, in the King George. That will be one of many match up s we have to enjoy on the Flat. This is a proper season.
I’m absolutely gutted not to be at Newmarket this week for ITV as it’s always one of my favourite weeks of the year.
That said, the action will still be awesome for those lucky enough to be there for the channel. The Group 1 Falmouth Stakes might well feature the brilliant Coronation winner Alcohol Free, while Starman – denied a run at Royal Ascot when the rain came – may well head to the July Cup.
I love that race, and remember booking Darryll Holland to win on Continent for the late Dandy Nicholls. That was a terrific day.
Oisin Murphy should be riding both Alcohol Free and Starman, so the champion jockey has much to look forward to over the next few days.
Taking on Starman could be Line Of Departure, who is set to make a significant jump in class as the Listed winner was supplemented today for the big sprint.
The Roger Varian-trained three-year-old was a surprise addition to the Group 1 line-up, with connections paying the £36,000 supplement fee alongside Royal Ascot-winner Rohaan.
The latter has been a fairytale for Dave Evans this term, and was huge in the Wokingham at the Royal fixture.
Rohaan has shot up the ratings after being bought from George Scott
Meanwhile, in Ireland the rumblings still go on about drugs in the sport.
Some have said it’s impossible for Jim Bolger to name who he keeps hinting is using performance enhancing drugs.
But of course it’s not as he says he has proof. If he has that proof, then he has nothing to worry about.
Quite simply if Bolger has proof of guilt then the guilty can’t sue him.
It’s not tricky in any way legally on that basis. Have a great week people.
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Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/full-crowds-to-return-to-uk-sports-this-summer-without-vaccine-passports-after-euro-2020-and-wimbledon-success-4
