Laganore to scale new heights in Pinnacle Stakes
Published:
David Metcalf | May 27, 2016
Laganore ready to rock in Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock
Laganore has an ultra-progressive profile and can take the step up into Group 3 company in her stride to land the Pinnacle Stakes on a cracking card at Haydock (14.35).
Trained in Ireland by the shrewd Tony Martin, the filly has won her last two starts in handicaps in impressive fashion.
After scoring cosily by 1/2 a length at Naas, Laganore made light of a 5lb rise in the weights to bolt up by four lengths in a 1m 2f contest at Leopardstown.
The four-year-old travelled supremely well throughout in the latter, cruising into contention from off the pace before quickening smartly to put the race to bed and score with any amount in hand.
It was a performance which suggested Laganore was on a serious upward curve and needed keeping firmly onside, and she looks the type who could have even more to offer now stepped up to 1m 4f.
This demands more, but Martin is not one to go tilting at windmills and the daughter of Fastnet Rock is clearly held in high regard and looks more than capable of making an impact at this level.
Journey sets the standard
Journey is the highest rated runner in the line-up and commands the utmost respect following a promising a promising reappearance run when third in a Group 3 at York.
The John Gosden trained filly made rapid strides last season, bagging a couple of Listed contests before running a cracker when mowed down late and finishing a 3/4 length runner-up to Simple Verse in a Group 1 at Ascot.
That form sets the standard and gives Journey 5lb and upwards in hand on her rivals.
However, she is a quirky sort who can race keenly and needs to dominate to be seen at her best and I can’t help but feel that she could be vulnerable to an improver with a turn of foot at the business end of affairs.
Miss Marjurie back to defend crown
Miss Marjurie won last year’s renewal in good style and looks to have been primed for a repeat bid.
The David Simcock trained mare went on to be beaten just 1 1/2 lengths into fifth behind Pleasach in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, and shaped as if needing the outing on return to action at Goodwood last month when a not knocked about sixth of 13 to Carnachy.
That should have blow away the cobwebs and put the six-year-old spot on for this, and although Miss Marjurie has nine lengths to find on Carnachy this is sure to have been a target for a long time and it would be no surprise to see the daughter of Marju get much closer and possibly turn the tables with that rival.
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Coral’s top tip: Irish raider Laganmore is on a serious upward curve and looks worth a wager to get the better of Journey. Miss Marjurie rates a lively outsider.
