Richard Fahey has European Classics very much in mind for two of his leading 3-year-old's in Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Birchwood (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Ribchester won the G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef S. at Newbury last year before reappearing with a second–disqualified to fifth for interference– in the G3 Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte Apr. 7.
Fahey commented, “It was a messy race in France, but I just wanted to get that run into him for the experience. For the first couple of furlongs they went steady and then it turned into a bit of a sprint. It was not a disaster and he has come back fine. He is in the [G1] English [2000 Guineas at Newmarket Apr. 30] and [G1] French [2000] Guineas [at Deauville May 15] and if I was picking one now, then the French is what I would be thinking. We will keep an eye on what is turning up at Newmarket, while I will speak to the owners, too.”
“Birchwood, like Ribchester was also purchased by Godolphin from Emma and David Armstrong as a 2-year-old and he had a busy juvenile season running seven times, winning three and finishing out the year with a very respectable third to Hit It A Bomb (War Front) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf,” continued Fahey. “I am very happy with Birchwood and I purposely have given him a long break as he had a long season. He looks fantastic but I'm not sure where we are going with him. He is in the [G1] Irish 2000 Guineas [May 21], but there is also the [G2] German Guineas [May 16]. We will see where he is nearer the time. We are quite happy getting him ready here.”
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