The Curragh is all action on Monday, with the G2 Coolmore Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge S. the key component of a fascinating card. Aidan O'Brien has opted to wait longer to unleash Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and instead puts forward the reinvigorated Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who looks to be in a good place this year with wins on soft ground in the Listed Devoy S. at Naas Mar. 28 and on a much slicker surface in the Apr. 17 G3 Alleged S. over this 10-furlong trip. Beaten around half a length when fourth in the 2019 G1 Epsom Derby, the bay who races in the Masaaki Matsushima silks is on his way back to that kind of level and even gets three pounds from the reigning G1 Melbourne Cup hero Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). That contest follows the Listed Gain First Flier S. for juveniles, where another Ballydoyle representative is the likely favourite in the impressive Apr. 10 Dundalk maiden winner Cadamosto (Ire) (No Nay Never). He encounters Donnacha's similarly taking Apr. 20 Tipperary scorer Elliptic (Ire) who looks to provide Caravaggio with his first black-type winner.
Also on the card is the seven-furlong G3 Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi S., where last year's G1 Matron S. heroine Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) makes her keenly-anticipated return in the Teruya Yoshida colours. Racing under a five-pound penalty, she also has a hefty extra 12-pound weight-for-age burden taking on another notable Rosegreen runner in the five-length course-and-distance maiden winner Queen's Speech (American Pharoah). Trainer Johnny Murtagh is aware of the task facing Champers Elysees and said, “It can be difficult with a penalty, but it's a good starting place for her. She's strengthened up and there's a big year ahead for her. There are a few nice fillies' races and we're looking forward to Royal Ascot with her. We're not sure which race yet. We'll have to see how tomorrow goes.”
Over the same trip is the Listed Dick McCormick Irish EBF Tetrarch S., where Zhang Yuesheng's Ace Aussie (Ire) (Australia {GB}) reappears having been just 1 1/2 lengths off Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) when runner-up in the Listed Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial over this distance at Leopardstown Apr. 11.
Click here for the group fields.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
