Making excuses for horses can be an expensive pastime but it could prove very expensive indeed for Aidan O’Brien’s followers if Found doesn’t step up to the Group One plate in Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes.
For a filly that spent the winter as an undisputed favourite for both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks, 2015 has been an anticlimax so far for Found.
A superb Prix Marcel Boussac victory last October over Ervedya – winner of last month’s French 1,000 Guineas and again a rival today - looked to leave Found with the classic world at her feet but she failed to make it in time to Newmarket and was beaten a day later in the Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.
That was blamed on desperately heavy ground and eventually she did get her classic shot in the Irish 1,000 when runner -up to Pleascach.
As well as Ervedya, Pleascach’s stable companion Lucida, runner-up in the Newmarket Guineas, also shapes as a big rival and she finished ahead of Found in last year’s Moyglare when the latter blew the start.
There will be no room for fluffed lines or excuses this time but Found looked superb in that Boussac and third time of asking this season she can step up to that form again.
Another Irish filly Anthem Alexander is expected to be a major player for the inaugural Commonwealth Cup.
A Group One three year old sprint could be ideal for last year’s Queen Mary winner who returned to action in style when scoring at Naas last week. She is giving Eddie Lynam all the right signals.
“She’s got a great mind, which is a big help to those sprinters, and we think an awful lot of her. She’s already won both a Group Three and a Group Two and we are very hopeful that she will make a Group One sprinter,” the trainer said. “I definitely expect improvement from her and fast ground will be in her favour,” Lynam added.
With Ryan Moore on board Ballydoyle's enigmatic Ol' Man River in the King Edward VII Stakes, Anthem Alexander's rider Pat Smullen takes his place on Sir Michael Stoute's progressive Stravagante. This one justified market support in style in an Epsom handicap a fortnight ago and looks a safer option.
Moore is on the Racing Post Trophy runner-up Aloft in the Queens Vase, leaving Joseph O'Brien to team up again with Bantry Bay who shapes as if a hike up to two miles will be ideal after breaking his maiden at the Curragh last time.
