Curragh Preview
By Brian O`Connor
Punters are almost certain to apply an 'if it works - don`t fix it' policy to the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes, because among the 13-strong cross-sea challenge are two Richard Hannon-trained fillies.
A Hannon filly has won the #200,000 pot for the last four years, and although the trainer was adopting a cautious approach yesterday, he looks to have the ammunition for another memorable Curragh afternoon.
Dane O`Neill has won on the last three Hannon winners, but he is now bound for Hong Kong, so Miss Domuch, beaten a neck by Foley Millenium at Newbury last time, will be ridden by Eddie Ahern.
David Harrison, recently returned from Hong Kong, looks to be on the right Hannon horse, however, in the unbeaten Blue Goddess.
'I wouldn`t like to choose between them. Miss Domuch is improving while the other filly has the form in the book already,' said Hannon.
Harrison rode Hannon`s 1996 winner, Miss Stamper, and Blue Goddess comes here with an unblemished record. She won on a soft surface on her Chepstow debut and was an odds-on winner on fast ground at Windsor.
Mick Channon is another trainer doubly represented, and Mick Kinane is on Innit, a disappointing ninth to Superstar Leo at Newbury last time.
But the home team face a tough task in trying to equal the last Irish winner, Aidan O`Brien`s No Animosity in 1995.
Giant`s Causeway had his first taste of Group racing in the King Of Kings Futurity last year, and this time O`Brien runs three, including the Leopardstown winner Beckett.
Kinane, however, has chosen Bonnard, the colt who caused the rider a lot of anxiety in the Goodwood stalls before running second to No Excuse Needed in the Champagne Stakes.
Mark Johnston`s Doncaster winner Down To The Woods is interesting, but as a son of Woodman might not like the ground too soft, so the experienced Bon-nard get the vote instead.
The other black type race is the Listed Ballycullen Stakes and Media Puzzle can reward Dermot Weld`s decision to bypass Wednesday`s Ebor. The Ulster Derby winner is preferred to John Oxx`s Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes winner Katiykha.
Oxx, though, can get on the mark in the four-runner last with the Sadlers Wells filly Ancelin. Jalindi is just preferred in the Summertime Handicap.
