MGSW A'Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) is bound across the Irish Sea and will contest the G1 Flying Five S. at The Curragh on Sept. 13. The Shaikh Duaji Al Khalifa colourbearer a trio of Group 2s as a juvenile, added the G3 Coral Charge S. to his haul on July 5 and was also first past the post in the July 19 G2 Sapphire S. in Ireland. He could only manage fourth to Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York on Aug. 21.
“He ran a nice race,” said co-trainer Ed Crisford, who trains with his father Simon. “It's a quick five at York and he was slightly outpaced early on, but he finished very well, which I was very pleased with–in another 50 yards he could have been third. With that tail wind, the leaders just don't come back. He's come out of it very well and I think we'll go to The Curragh for the Flying Five in three weeks. A stiff five at The Curragh should suit him perfectly and he's obviously won there before. There'll be no Battaash in Ireland and I think he'll be going there with every chance.”
Another also ran behind Battaash on Friday was Group 3 winner Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who reported home sixth. Representing King Power Racing, the 3-year-old colt ran sixth in the Nunthorpe, after winning the July 4 G3 Lacken S. at Naas. Trainer Tim Easterby had a positive update on his charge, who will target the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock on Sept. 5.
“He's absolutely fine. He just went to sleep in the stalls and by the time he woke up it was too late,” said Easterby. “We'll look towards the Sprint Cup at Haydock and all the top sprints next year. We know six furlongs is fine for him and maybe he'll even go seven [furlongs] at some stage.”
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