The Curragh's Galileo Futurity Stakes boasts a roll-of-honour to compare with most races, boasting some of the best through the hands of Jim Bolger and Aidan O'Brien over the years, and Sunday's Group Two highlight could see Shogun take command of some classic ante-post betting lists.
This brother to the Oaks winner Qualify is already a 25 to 1 second-favourite for next year’s Derby ahead of Sunday’s big rival Herald The Dawn, a 33 to 1 shot for the Derby who boasts his own illustrious relative in Dawn Approach.
That champion didn’t take in the Futurity during his juvenile career but his sire New Approach did, as did two other Bolger-trained stars, Teofilo and St Jovite, back in 1991.
Illustrious names
As well as Shogun, O’Brien also pitches in Air Vice Marshal into a race he hopes to win for a 10th time and which has seen such illustrious names as Giants Causeway, Hawk Wing and the last year’s winner Gleneagles continue their progress towards Group One success.
Shogun looked to learn plenty from his debut when scoring over the course and distance last month and headgear is kept on him, but Herald The Dawn looked a different proposition from his own debut at Naas subsequently when beating London.
The sole filly in the five-runner heat is Now Or Never who looked a world-beater at Galway, to the extent it is noteworthy that she hasn’t been snapped up by some of the big battalions.
Michael O’Callaghan’s daughter or Bushranger is warming up here for the Moyglare in three weeks’ time but will need some rain to show her at her best. The last filly to land the Futurity was Lady Lahar in 2000.
Whatever about mentally, Shogun has looked a physically precious type and can rule the day this time.
Ol' Man River's three-year-old career has been a flop to date and his stable companion Found should be able to keep him in his place in a four-runner Group Three Royal Whip. In contrast to the colt, Found's form in finishing runner-up in an Irish Guineas and a Coronation is top class while still giving the impression there's more to come.
Order Of St George gets a substantial weight pull from the older horses in the Irish Leger Trial and can use that against his stable companion Kingfisher.
Sea Moon, a former Voltigeur winner back from a stint in Australia, is an interesting runner for John Oxx who can pick up the concluding maiden with Foolish.
