Alexandroupolis (Ire)

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Insights features a half-sister to the well-regarded Nostrum. 14.05 Newmarket, Novice, £8,000, 2yo, f, 7fT IMITATE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the eighth foal out of the listed-winning Mirror Lake (GB) (Dubai Destination), whose colt Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is one of the better 3-year-olds in training. Also a...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Insights features TDN Rising Star Alexandroupolis. 18.55 Leopardstown, Listed, €40,000, 3yo, 14fT Coolmore and Westerberg's ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) followed up his 'TDN Rising Star' performance at Galway last September with a third here in the Apr. 2 G3 Ballysax S. and encounters seven rivals in this Listed...

Conspicuous by his colour if not his presence in the betting market, Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's recent acquisition White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}--Diagnostic {GB}, by Dutch Art {GB}) overhauled the customary representation of the O'Briens and Bolger in Leopardstown's G3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax S. to provide the John Joseph Murphy stable with a red-letter day. Anchored at the tail of the field early by Shane Foley, the almost-white grey who had opened his account by 6 1/2 lengths over seven furlongs sporting Murphy's own silks at Dundalk in November loomed...

Providing it survives a morning inspection, with the ground currently heavy and more rain forecast, Leopardstown's intriguing Sunday fixture will see a trio of Classic trials flooded with a big Ballydoyle presence including the exciting 'TDN Rising Star' Alexandroupolis (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Due to make his eagerly-awaited second career start in the G3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax S., the centre of much attention at Rosegreen oozed class when beating his talented stablemate and eventual G1 Criterium International runner-up Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the extended mile maiden at Galway...