Big Gossey 4/1 – Curragh 2.30
Charles O'Brien's Big Gossey has been a tremendous flag bearer for the yard, and if he is not feeling the effects of his run at this venue last weekend, he is surely going to go close at his favourite track.
Big Gossey runs on any ground, and he will more than likely always run his race at the Curragh. Last week he was overlooked by me and others, and still finished second when giving away 5lbs to the UK raider. This is a drop in grade from last week's race, which means he is carrying a penalty, but you know what you're going to get with him, and this trip isn't a problem.
Carla Ridge 11/4 – Curragh 3.40
It looks very clear that they have been waiting for the bad ground to arrive for Carla Ridge, and she makes her second run of the year in this on the back of a 147-day absence. Her fitness is obviously the main question that she needs to answer, but given how well she won this race last year, you'd like to think that Harty training team have got her cherry-ripe.
She encountered soft/heavy ground once last year, and that was in this race, and she relished those conditions. This doesn't look like a great renewal, and Royal Bay Cen being the third favourite states that. I tipped up Jonny Murtagh's horse last weekend, and she wasn't great.
Folsom Blues 7/4 – Longchamp 1.09
The Irish raider is quite a short price for this Group 1 at Longchamp, but if you saw how easily he won a Group 1 in Ireland last time out, he probably deserves to be even shorter in the market.
To win a Group 1 by six lengths like Folsom Blues did last time out is seriously impressive. There is a chance that the others in that race didn't perform to the level that was expected, but I think he is a smart juvenile and that he is the best in this race, and will take some stopping.
Stall 10 is a slight concern, so I'm hoping that my friend Mickael Barzlona doesn't mess it up, as he has done so many times before on tipped-up horses.
Naana's Shadow 5/1 – Longchamp 1.47
In terms of Group 1 sprints, the Prix de l'Abbaye has to be the one which can spring surprises. I'm siding with the current market favourite in Naana's Shadow, so it's not a surprise in that regard, but this filly was a handicapper quality until last time out.
I hope for Katie Scott that this horse wins, as it will showcase her talents as a trainer. Naana's Shadow started the season for Katie as a 72-rated handicapper, but the filly has continued to progress and win multiple races. Last time out was a career best by a country mile, winning over today's course and distance in a Group 3, beating Shiri by nearly two lengths.
You need to be handy to win this race, as it can become messy, which is why I think Naana's Shadow is so popular in the market.
GambleAware