RACING:TOM QUEALLY has had plenty of flak on the back of Frankel's Royal Ascot victory but Midday can provide the Co Waterford-born jockey with a controversy-free first Group One success in Ireland at the Curragh this afternoon.
Midday was due to be joined in the Stobart Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes by another Newmarket-based star in the dual-Oaks winner Snow Fairy but the latter was withdrawn last night due to the rapidly softening ground conditions
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Misty For Me leads the classic generation.
It is a quality event that nevertheless looks a perfect opportunity for Midday to secure the sixth top-flight success of her hugely successful career.
There were plenty who felt she should have already got that sixth under her belt in the Coronation Cup earlier this month when Queally’s decision to make an early move around Tattenham Corner left many of the view that Midday was left vulnerable to St Nicholas Abbey’s late rally.
It didn’t generate the same levels of criticism that Queally’s effort on Frankel did at Ascot but the cumulative effect will mean there will be some focus on the jockey when he again dons the famous Juddmonte colours today.
The good news yesterday was a positive report from Henry Cecil who said: “Midday has been better than ever this year.”
Misty For Me could emerge as a threat but the senior Midday can provide her legendary trainer with a first Group One in Ireland since Ramruma’s 1999 Oaks success.
A total of eight runners also line up for the At The Races Curragh Cup with Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux joined by another British hope in Times Up, trained by John Dunlop.
Both fit the experienced profile of most of the other runners bar the one three-year-old, Admiral Of The Red.
Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt has run just twice and hasn’t been seen since winning a maiden in good style at Leopardstown. However he is held in some regard at Balldyoyle and can surprise his seniors.
David Wachman runs Chrysanthemum in the Pretty Polly but his best chance of a winner today could be the impressive Navan winner Experience who lines up for the Group Three Grangecon Stud Stakes. Among Equals looks worth another shout in the opener.
