Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of not returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) as well as the daughter of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
3.45 Naas, Hcp, €45,000, 3yo, 7fT
PADDINGTON (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) will be one of the key attractions if Naas's card evades the forecast heavy rain and gets the go-ahead, being Ballydoyle's chief representative in this Madrid Handicap won in 2016 when it was staged at The Curragh by the subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas hero Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Labelled a 'TDN Rising Star' following his emphatic maiden win over this trip at The Curragh in October, the joint-second highest-priced lot at €420,000 at the 2021 Arqana October Sale is the pick of Ryan Moore over the stable's Londoner (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), a son of the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) who also impressed when taking his maiden at Dundalk in October.
4.55 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 3yo, f, 8fT
RED RIDING HOOD (IRE) (Justify) accompanies stablemate Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) to Naas, as she did when they both travelled to Ascot in early September for their debuts. Not seen since finishing runner-up over this trip on that occasion, it may be significant that the daughter of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine and 1000 Guineas runner-up Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) linked to Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and War Front's U S Navy Flag and Roly Poly is in the maiden won in the last two years by Galileo's subsequent Classic-winning sisters Empress Josephine (Ire) and Tuesday (Ire).
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