O'BRIEN RUNNERS ON ASCOT COMEBACK MISSIONS
Joseph O'Brien's Group 1-winning juveniles Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Pretty Gorgeous (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) will attempt to get back in the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot next week.
Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's Thunder Moon stamped himself as a leader of his generation in the autumn with a victory in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and a third in the G1 Dewhurst S., but disappointed when last of 14 in the May 1 G1 2000 Guineas.
"Thunder Moon obviously disappointed at Newmarket, so we=ve put a line through that run," O'Brien told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast. "We had an eye on the Irish Guineas but when the ground looked like it was going to be soft, which it was, we rerouted to go to Ascot and his preparation has gone well."
BALLYCORUS WIN FOR REAL APPEAL
Progressing this season, Zhang Yuesheng=s Real Appeal (Ger) (Sidestep {Aus}) took his form to a new level at Leopardstown on Thursday when winning the G3 Ballycorus S.
Racing over the shortest trip since his last try in black-type company when fifth in the 5 1/2-furlong Listed Committed S. at Naas last June, the 6-1 shot who was third when carrying top weight in Cork=s valuable Mallow H. over seven furlongs May 7 was settled towards the rear early by Shane Foley. Delivered wide in the straight, the bay who was initially with Matthieu Palussiere when taking the Listed Prix la Fleche at Maisons-Laffitte in May 2019 reeled in the long-time leader Lord of the Lodge (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in the last 150 yards en route to a half-length success.
PALACE PIER TOPS LONGINES WBRR
Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who won the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. in late May, is the new top-rated horse on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings at a mark of 125. He was previously ranked 121 on the back of his G2 bet365 Mile victory earlier this spring.
Sitting in second is Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) at 123. Three horses share third at 122--Domestic Spending (GB)(Kingman {GB}) for his GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan S. win, Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), and Mystic Guide(Ghostzapper). Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won Saturday's G1 Cazoo Derby, has moved up to 121 to sit a joint-sixth. Others on that mark are: Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) for his triumph over Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (120) in the G1 Coral Coronation Cup; GI Belmont S. presented by NYRA Bets winner Essential Quality (Tapit); G1 Victoria Mile heroine Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}); MG1SW Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Aussie Eduardo (Aus) (Host {Chi}).
There are also several horses rated 120. Some of the new additions at 120 are: G1 Japanese Derby one-two Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}); G1 Cazoo Oaks victress Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}); G1 Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club victor St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}); and G1 Doomben Cup hero Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}).
