Illinois (Ire)

Relishing the step up to an extended 11 furlongs on Saturday, Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}--Roxity {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) gave the Gredleys something to dream about over the next three weeks with a power-packed display in Lingfield's Listed Derby Trial. Keen initially for Callum Shepherd before enjoying cover behind the early leaders, the 8-1 shot moved to the front with two furlongs to race and left his rivals for dead from there. At the line, the James Fanshawe-trained 80,000gns Craven Breeze-Up purchase who had been fourth in the...

With Chester's Derby and Oaks pointers failing to unearth a dazzling candidate this week, it is the turn of Lingfield on Saturday to potentially provide a clearer picture of how the Epsom Classics will shape up. The Listed Derby Trial, which has produced one Blue Riband hero in recent times in Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), sees Ballydoyle bring across their G3 Ballysax S. second and third The Euphrates (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Ryan Moore keeping the faith in the latter. All the evidence...

Sunday sees a swing in the momentum towards the more meaningful Flat action of 2024, with Leopardstown--which has to survive an early-morning inspection--and ParisLongchamp staging a host of Classic trials. Ballydoyle's wheels are really set in motion at the former venue, with several of their promising 3-year-olds ready to be unleashed in the card's trio of preps including the 10-furlong G3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax S. It is in that early Derby pointer that Rosegreen's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and impressive course maiden-winning TDN Rising...

Saint-Cloud stage the key fayre on Sunday, with the G1 Criterium International and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud offering the juvenile crop a late opportunity to flaunt Classic pretensions. In the 10-furlong Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Ballydoyle look for their first winner since 2010 with the impressive Curragh maiden winner Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) while the Joseph O'Brien-trained compatriot Islandsinthestream (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will provide clues as to the merit of his G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. conqueror Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Godolphin's unbeaten Andre Fabre-trained TDN Rising Star Casapueblo...

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. Saturday's Observations features a half to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) on debut at the Curragh. 13.10 Curragh, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 9fT ILLINOIS (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is the latest progeny out of Danedrop (Ire) (Danehill), whose ground-breaking daughter Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) still...