24 Jun 2023 - NEWS
O'BRIEN AND MOORE TAKE TOP TRAINER AND JOCKEY TITLESCommonwealth Cup preview: Pierre Lapin can prove himself a new sprinting star
Posted in: Royal Ascot Tips
The Commonwealth Cup has been a great addition to the sprint programme since its inception in 2015 and there have been some high-class editions, most notably in 2017 when Caravaggio led home Harry Angel and Blue Point.
Harry Angel subsequently went on to prove himself a top-class sprinter, winning the July Cup and Sprint Cup, and his half-brother Pierre Lapin also looks to have inherited plenty of speed and is a worthy favourite for this year’s Commonwealth Cup.
He was sent off a short price on debut, despite coming up against an expensive purchase from an in-form yard, and he justified market confidence in impressive style, quickening clear inside the final furlong to win by three lengths, posting a high rating for a horse on debut.
Connections elected to bypass potential assignments at the major summer festivals, allowing Pierre Lapin time to develop, and they were rewarded for their patient approach with a decisive success in the Mill Reef Stakes four months later.
Pierre Lapin tanked through that Group 2 at Newbury, arguably doing a bit too much, but he still had plenty in the tank when asked to deliver his challenge, impressing with how smoothly he made headway into contention and then quickened into the lead.
Physically, Pierre Lapin looked the type who would improve considerably from two to three and, while he is heading into a Group 1 shorter on experience than ideal, his trainer Roger Varian has started the season in flying form.
Golden Horde boasts arguably the strongest piece of two-year-old form courtesy of his close-up second to Earthlight in the Middle Park Stakes. Golden Horde had previously won the Richmond Stakes and finished a close third in the Prix Morny and is a likeable type with a good attitude. However, he had more opportunities than many of these last season and shaped as if a step up to seven furlongs would see him to better effect. He may just lack the speed required.
Wooded, on the other hand, was largely campaigned over seven furlongs in France last season but he showed much improved form on his seasonal reappearance when dropped in trip in the Prix Texanita. He won that Group 3 at Chantilly by three and a half lengths, showing a smart level of form, and he is a serious contender, still unexposed over sprint trips.
Wooded, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, is not the only interesting international raider as Wesley Ward will be represented by Kimari, who finished runner-up to Raffle Prize in the Queen Mary at last year’s Royal meeting. She won over six furlongs at Oaklawn in April and is entitled to respect, though her form is slightly short of what’s required and others look open to greater improvement.
Dubai Station won the Pavilion Stakes, which has been a key trial in the past when run at Ascot, but perhaps wasn’t quite as informative as usual this year, with many leading southern yards not represented. Dubai Station showed improved form but he looked fortunate to beat Malotru, who had no trouble in running, and he may have to settle for a minor role.
Mums Tipple made no impact in the 2000 Guineas and will be much better suited by dropping back to six furlongs, the distance at which he posted that hugely impressive victory in a sales race at York. He dominated his rivals on that occasion, but front-running tactics can be difficult to pull off on this stiff straight course, so he has a bit on his plate. Millisle is another tasked with quickly bouncing back from a flop in the Guineas – in her case the 1000 Guineas – and she is interesting based on her juvenile form, chiefly her success in the Cheveley Park Stakes, when she finished with a flourish to score. The Jessica Harrington stable is in flying form so she is difficult to dismiss.
However, Pierre Lapin looks to be a horse of huge potential and 4/1 is fair. His performance in the Mill Reef was extremely impressive and he should improve significantly from two to three.
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