Juvenile Watch: big Classic claims for Angel and Longfellow
Ross Millar looks back at the two juvenile Group One contests at the Irish Champions Festival at the Curragh on Sunday and shares his insight on Fallen Angel and Henry Longfellow, queries tactics employed by Amo Racing and gets the latest from Ed Bethell on one to note.
Moyglare Stud Stakes
The first two home Fallen Angel and Vespertilio pulled a long way clear of the rest.
On a weekend when many of the UK-based jockeys riding in Ireland faced criticism for their performances in the saddle, it was refreshing to see Danny Tudhope ride a straightforward race for more success on the Karl Burke-trained filly.
A good exit from the stalls enabled her to travel easily at the head of affairs alongside warm favourite Ylang Ylang, while Vespertilio was ridden closer to the pace than she had been in her previous starts. Tudhope started to wind the pace up with two furlongs to go and instantly had the measure of Ryan Moore on the disappointing favourite, but he momentarily looked a sitting duck for the strong-travelling runner-up who was delivered with a stealthy challenge from Billy Lee. A protracted duel looked assured but in truth only lasted half a furlong before Fallen Angel found another gear and powered away for an ultimately comfortable victory.
She became a first Group One winner for her sire Too Darn Hot and accordingly had her price for next year’s 1000 Guineas slashed into 10-1 – good news for those of you that heeded my advice from last month and backed her at 33-1.
She has a wonderful ability to travel powerfully while relaxing and has both speed and stamina. I’m confident that the Guineas test at Newmarket will play to her strengths and she fully deserves her place at the head of the market.
Vespertilio ran a fine race in defeat and being ridden closer to the pace didn’t compromise her finishing effort. While this opens up options for her, it’s hard to envisage any scenario where she could reverse form with the winner.
Ylang Ylang was disappointing and, while I was confident before the race that she was opposable, she is clearly better than this.
Porta Fortuna looked less effective when ridden to stay an extra furlong. Speed is clearly her forte and I’d expect to see her dropped back in trip next time, while Red Viburnum ran with credit on only her second start. I’d expect connections to target a run-of-the-mill maiden now before being more ambitious next season.
Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes
This race that lost a degree of its lustre with the last-minute withdrawal of red-hot favourite City Of Troy because of a slight change in the going description. Yet if spectators and punters thought his defection would make this a more competitive heat, they were wrong by some distance – about five lengths to be exact.
Henry Longfellow delivered a spectacular performance. Amo Raing pacemaker Cuban Thunder set strong fractions at the front and was chased along by Bucanero Fuerte, the first-choice here for those owners.
Ryan Moore was clearly content to sit just off the front pair and was always travelling smoothly aboard the eventual victor, with it being apparent a full three furlongs from home that there was only going to be one winner. Kevin Stott was getting visibly animated on Bucanero Fuerte while Moore was able to effortlessly move alongside. When asked to quicken the impressive son of Dubawi found plenty more and lengthened all the way to the line in the manner of a high-class colt.
He’d shown visible signs of immaturity when getting to the front on his previous starts; indeed I’d used that as my sole justification not to side with him in this, but here he looked far more polished, running straight and true with real intent.
"I thought he was very impressive," said Ryan Moore on Henry Longfellow
It was another good result for the Juvenile Watch ante-post portfolio as having been advised at 16-1 for the 2000 Guineas back in July he is now a best-priced 6-1. Plenty of water is yet to pass under the bridge but it’s a nice position to be in.
Henry Longfellow has a slightly elevated knee action so is likely to be better with a degree of cut in the ground, though in his post-race interview Aidan O’Brien was keen to emphasise that he was a horse possessing plenty of natural speed. To my eye he looks really special.
Amo Racing have now twice struggled to successfully deploy a pacemaker for Bucanero Fuerte; they got away with it in the Phoenix Stakes thanks to a smart and instinctive ride from Kevin Stott but here they were not so lucky. Setting a fast pace for a proven six-furlong performer on his first start at seven furlongs seemed a bizarre team tactic, and maybe in future they will feel they’d be better served by simply allowing their jockey to ride a race on instinct - especially in such a small field.
Given the overly strong early fractions I’d be reluctant to conclude that Bucanero Fuerte didn’t stay. It would be foolish to react hastily and question his merits now. His 2024 season will surely centre around the Commonwealth Cup, where he’d have leading claims.
Islandsinthestream ran honourably but simply isn’t up to this class. He’s sure to be well placed by shrewd connections to win some lesser pots.
Late Bloomer
Last year Ed Bethell nominated two late-bloomers for us and both James McHenry and Yorkshire have obliged by winning twice since.
Fresh from landing his first Group One as a trainer, he nominates an unraced filly that he’s excited about.
“I have a couple of nice fillies that are coming to hand slowly but surely. Marianglas, a daughter of Almanzor, is certainly one I’m excited by. I’d love to get a run into her in October to ready her for a successful campaign next season.”
