So close to Classic success

The Top 40 have had a couple of near misses in recent days and none more so than Bluestocking's narrow defeat in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday. Ralph Beckett's filly did everything right bar win being headed close home by Savethelastdance who looked in trouble early in the homestraight. Ridden by Colin Keane for the first time, the daughter of Camelot had run well at Newbury and Royal Ascot on her first two starts this term and lady luck once again desserted her in the Group 1 contest. Having mastered the prominently ridden Library inside the final furlong, it was galling to say the least to see the Ballydoyle runner reeled her in in the shadows of the post. Stamina proved the key to the Ryan Moore ridden winner, who looks as though she will thrive over an extra couple of furlongs - Savethelastdance will be vulnerable over a mile and a half on a sound surface. The St Leger looks the ideal target for Aidan O'Brien's filly and it wouldn't be a surprise if Ralph Beckett elected to have a rematch on Town Moor because he isn't averse to running a filly in the final Classic. Indeed, his sole winner of the race was Simple Verse (2015) and Haskoy crossed the line in second last year before being demoted to fourth. More immediately, Bluestocking will head to York for either the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks or Listed Galtres Stakes (both 24th August). The aforementioned Haskoy won the latter event in 2022. She deserves to win a big one. 

Leading bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley nominated Relief Rally as a juvenile to follow on page 128 of Ahead On The Flat and the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned filly has proved a bargain buy. Purchased for 58,000gns, the daughter of Kodiac won her first two starts before being denied by a nose in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. The William Haggas trained filly was back in action on Saturday and she returned to winning ways with an impressive three lengths win in the valuable Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury. Tom Marquand's mount streaked away for an easy success setting up a possible tilt at the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York next month. Effective on slow ground, connections haven't ruled out taking on the older horses in the Group 1 Prix de L'Abbaye at Longchamp (1st October). She has been a terrific juvenile.