Heart Of A Lion

Last weekend saw a British double over in Ireland but it wasn't to be for the return of one superstar.

The first Irish Classics of the season took place over the weekend at The Curragh - the course known as the heart of Flat racing in Ireland.
Aidan O’Brien was looking to add to his illustrious record in both races, however, the Brits looked to upset the trend by bringing over the English 2000 Guineas second and third, Rosallion and Haatem, for the Richard Hannon team.

As they got underway, Rosallion joined up with Coventry Stakes winner River Tiber, who was trying the mile trip for the first time. His stablemate, and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Unquestionable, was also prominent.
Rosallion and River Tiber were then both held up as outsider Take Me To Church led them towards the home straight and the final three furlongs.
First to challenge were Unquestionable and Haatem, the latter taking it up with just a furlong and half to go. Down the outside came Rosallion, battling it out with stablemate and in doing so guaranteeing a Hannon win.

The horse Hannon dubbed ‘the best I’ve ever trained’ put his neck in front and redeemed himself for his English Guineas defeat. Rosallion can now look forward to a rematch with the horse that beat him at Newmarket, Notable Speech, at Royal Ascot.

On Sunday, it was the turn of the fillies in what looked a little more of an open contest.

Opera Singer won the Prix Marcel Boussac at the end of her two-year-old season and was looking to score O’Brien an 11th win in the Irish 1000 Guineas. However, she was up against the Moyglare Stud winner Fallen Angel for Karl Burke, who was looking to bounce back from her Newmarket disappointment.

Fallen Angel was prominent from the off, blazing a trail for her opponents with Ryan Moore and Opera Singer trying to latch on and put her under pressure.

However, not one of them could lay a glove on the Burke filly as she ran away with the prize, redeeming herself for a disappointing seasonal debut.

She is being aimed at the Coronation Stakes in mid-June, where she could find herself up against the likes of Elmaka and Porta Fortuna who were well in front of her at Newmarket.

Sunday also saw the homecoming of Auguste Rodin who had been disappointing in Dubai over the winter. He looked to have a natural advantage over the field in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but was up against an old adversary who he had beaten twice before.

It was third time lucky for White Birch, who followed Auguste Rodin into the home straight and took advantage when he began to paddle, sweeping by and defeating the former Derby winner.