Turf Talk: Judicial review points to redemption at the Curragh
The six-year-old won the Coral Charge at Sandown on his penultimate start, but was beaten nearly eight lengths by Alpha Delphini in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes on the Knavesmire.
Connections report their stable star to have been under the weather after that outing, but a run on Irish Champions Weekend remains on the radar ahead of a key bit of work over the weekend. Steve Brown, husband of trainer Julie Camacho, said: “Ireland is in our minds at the moment. He was obviously disappointing at York, but there were one or two little things after the race which would have explained why he ran as he did. “He seems to have recovered well and he’s been given a clean bill of health this week, but we will give him a breeze and see where we are.
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Hide Ad“When he came back from York, his bloods were upside down. His pre-race picture was fine, but his post-race picture was pretty ordinary, to say the least. “He seems fine now, but we’ll see how it goes. We need to be sure he’s well in himself.”
He added: “I’m told a few horses might be staying at home next week, but the ground is obviously a factor with Judicial. “If we don’t go to Ireland, there is the Group Three at Newbury the week after to consider, too.”
n The Last Samuri has left Kim Bailey’s stable to be trained by Harry Fry in what is expected to be his final season.
Bailey paid tribute to Paul and Clare Rooney’s staying chaser, who was second in the Grand National in 2016.
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Hide Ad“It is always sad to lose a horse to another trainer, and especially one as popular and as much loved as TLS (The Last Samuri),” he said. “Paul and Clare Rooney feel that as this is probably his last season in training a new trainer should have a chance with him.”
SOBOT’S SELECTIONS
FONTWELL: 2.00 Bold Image, 2.30 Chaparral Prince, 3.05 Dark Invader, 3.35 Sensible Friend, 4.10 Lord Condi, 4.40 Dawnieriver, 5.10 Liz’s Dream.
LISTOWEL: 2.10 Chief Justice, 2.40 Wicklow Brave, 3.15 Salty Boy, 3.45 Isabel’s Gold, 4.20 Camelia De Cotte 4.50 All Hell Let Loose, 5.20 Scaglietti.
YORK: 1.50 Storm Ahead, 2.20 Rise Hall (next best), 2.55 LIMATO (NAP), 3.25 Estihdaaf, 4.00 Elysees, 4.30 Mutawaffer , 5.00 Roundhay Park.