Eyes of the racing world go to Naas as horse tipped to be Aidan O'Brien's best makes debut
THE eyes of the racing world will be on Naas tonight as a horse tipped to be Aidan O'Brien's best makes his debut.
Gallantly, a two-year-old colt, set tongues wagging recently after a seemingly glowing reference from Seamie Heffernan.
The jockey, who usually rides O'Brien's second string, was asked which horse he would like to ride in next year's 2000 Guineas.
Ballydoyle handler O'Brien already has 2-1 favourite City Of Troy in his ranks.
And unbeaten Group 1 winner Henry Longfellow - the 7-2 second favourite - is a stablemate.
But asked who he would ride, Heffernan told the Racing Post: "None of them. The best of the lot hasn't run yet."
No one except Heff and those at Ballydoyle know whether his comments were tongue-in-cheek.
But bookies are taking no chances on this son of Frankel.
After opening up at 15-8 he has been backed into 4-6 and it looks like he could go off shorter still.
Dylan Browne McMonagle is the man in the saddle for this two-year-old colt, whose dam is French 1000 Guineas winner Precieuse.
In the double green silks of owners Brant, Magnier, Tabor and Smith, Gallantly will run in the 5.25 over seven furlongs.
He doesn't appear to have a 2000 Guineas entry but is a 33-1 chance for next month's Dewhurst, where City Of Troy is slated to make his return.
And he is 16-1 for the Group 1 Doncaster Futurity Trophy a fortnight later.
All future plans could hinge on how he does on debut - when everyone will be watching.
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