Totally Charming© Photo Healy Racing
A maximum field of 27 runners plus three reserves have been declared for the €100,000 Paddy Power Irish Lincoln, the feature race on the opening day of the Flat turf season at the Curragh on Saturday.
The Georgy Boughey-trained Totally Charming has been well-backed into 9/2 favourite with the sponsors and champion jockey Colin Keane is a significant booking on the five-year-old gelding.
The UK challenge is further bolstered by William Haggas’ Lattam which will be partnered by Chris Hayes and has also proved a popular order at 11/2.
“Lattam is very well. I think he will enjoy the ground and the straight mile will suit him so we are looking forward to running him,” said Haggas.
“His form did tail off a bit last season but he seems to be in good form this spring and I hope there is some improvement in the tank. That is what you are hoping with horses like him at this time of year and while he still has a big of improvement to come in his coat, he is pretty fit and well."
Haggas, who sent out Alenquer to land the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup last season, added: “We’ve had the odd winner in Ireland without having many runners over there but I felt the ground could be important to Lattam and I can’t guarantee we’d get his ground for our own Lincoln so we pointed him to The Curragh.
"Chris Hayes rides him and he knows the time of day. We have used Chris a bit over here and he rode a nice winner for us at Naas last year and a Listed winner for us at Dundalk previously. The owners are all set to go and are looking forward to a great day.”
Michael Halford and Tracey Collins have forged a new alliance this year with a joint training licence from Conyngham Lodge stables on the Curragh and they have a solid chance with Cosmic Vega who won twice last autumn on soft ground.
“We’re very happy with him and he has wintered well and has been training well,” said Halford. “The ground is the key as he handles testing ground and a mile looks a good trip for him.
“This race has been the target all winter and we’ve been training him for it. He’s as well and as good as he can be without having had a run, the draw will have a big say, but it’s a Lincoln with horses having their first runs and a lot will depend on how forward they are or not.
“We’re hoping that he gives a good account of himself and he’s a very straightforward horse.”
Paddy Power bet: 9-2 Totally Charming, 11-2 Lattam, 10 Emporio, No More Porter, 11 Cosmic Vega, 12 Good Heavens, 16 Carrytheone, Comfort Line, Dha Leath, Star Harbour, 20 Big Gossey, Casanova, Celtic Crown, I Am Superman, 25 Cordouan, Current Option, Finans Bay, Mashhoor, Miss Mirabell, Saltonstall, 33 Inchturk, Joe Masseria, Maud Gonne Spirit, Smooth Tom, Vocal Studies, 40 Fastnet Crown, San Aer, 66 Laelaps, Sirjack Thomas, 100 Eastern Wind
