Adaay to call the tune in Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh
Published:
David Metcalf | July 16, 2016
Adaay holds all the aces in Minstrel Stakes
Adaay returned to form when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes on an excellent Sunday card at the Curragh (15.05).
The William Haggas trained colt had some very smart form to his name last season when winning three times, and two of those successes came in the grade.
In the first of those Adaay ran on strongly from off the pace to beat Limato in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
The runner-up is a very smart sort who pulverised a top class field in the Group 1 July Cup when last seen in action and the form reads very well in the context of this contest.
Although Adaay failed to sparkle in his first two starts this season, the stable is now in much better form and the four-year-old put in a much improved effort in a Group 3 at Newmarket last month when going down by just a head to Breton Rock.
That was a huge step back in the right direction and if building on it this looks a nice opportunity for Adaay to get back on the winning trail.
Byron bidding for repeat success
Gordon Lord Byron triumphed in the race 12 months ago when scoring easily by 3 1/2 lengths and looks sure to make a bold bid to retain his crown.
The Tom Hogan trained eight-year-old has been a tremendous servant over the years and got back on the scoresheet last time out when landing a minor contest at Tipperary.
That win will have done the veteran’s confidence the world of good, but this demands much more and I can’t help but feel that he will prove vulnerable to younger and improving rivals.
Dick Whittington deserves plenty of respect
Dick Whittington hails from the all-conquering yard of Aidan O’Brien and looks a big player.
The colt has some very smart form as a juvenile and returned to winning ways last time out when landing a Group 3 contest at Leopardstown by 2 3/4 lengths.
Dick Whittington found plenty when pressed inside the last to win with a bit more in hand than the winning margin suggests and had Gordon Lord Byron just over six lengths behind in fifth.
This is tougher but the son of Rip Van Winkle remains lightly-raced for a four-year-old and may well have more to offer.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Adaay has some top class form in the book and looks decent value to land a competitive renewal of the Minstrel Stakes.
