A Taste Of Vintage

Now that Leopardstown's G3 Tyros S. and Newmarket's July festival have offered the hors d'oeuvres, Glorious Goodwood adds more substance to the early shape of the following year's Classics with Tuesday's G2 Qatar Vintage S. taking prominence. Troy (GB), Petoski (GB), Dr Devious (Ire), Mister Baileys (GB), Shamardal, Sir Percy (GB) and Olympic Glory (Ire) all clapped the boards in this seven-furlong test prior to hitting broadway and the question is what is lurking among the eight who line up this time. While he looks no star in the ascendant, one who has already worn his heart on his sleeve is Godolphin's acquisition Birchwood (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and he is saddled with a penalty as a result of his game defeat of this race's defector Air Vice Marshall (War Front) in the G2 Superlative S. at Newmarket 17 days ago. That was a vast improvement on his prior third in the Listed Rochestown S. over six at Naas June 1, for which their conditioner remains at a loss to explain. “We are very happy with Birchwood. He hasn't done a lot since he won at Newmarket, but we were delighted with the piece of work he did the other day,” trainer Richard Fahey said. “Before he ran in Ireland, I thought that he would love softer ground. He has a bit of a knee action, but his run at Naas completely confused me. I think his whole demeanour was wrong that day.”

In a way, it would be more in line with this race's heritage if the boys in blue's other runner Strong Challenge (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) provides the operation with a fifth renewal as he enters this examination unexposed and capable of anything at present. After a promising debut second over five furlongs at Lingfield May 9, the chestnut beat the subsequent G2 Prix Robert Papin winner Gutaifan (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in decisive fashion over six at this venue June 5. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, “Strong Challenge is doing well. He won his last race nicely and the form of that race looks very strong, with the runner-up winning a big race in France over the weekend. He is in good form and seven furlongs is a nice trip for him.” Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Ibn Malik (Ire) (Raven's Pass) offers more intrigue after beating the subsequent winners Comicas (Distorted Humor) and John Splendid (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in a Newmarket maiden over this trip on debut June 27. “The form of his maiden has worked out with the second and third winning, but it's the usual case of we'll know a lot more after this,” racing manager Angus Gold said. “He's only run one race, so I wouldn't want to sound clever saying what ground he'd like. If anything, the rain might have helped him as I wouldn't have thought he'd be suited to very quick ground coming down the hill.”