Tag Archive for: Adrian Keatley

Adrian Keatley in confident mood ahead of Kihavah outing

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Last year’s runner-up Kihavah is “better than ever” as he aims to go one better in next week’s Sky Bet Ebor at York.

Adrian Keatley’s dual-purpose performer has been in great form recently, winning the Queen’s Cup on the Flat at Musselburgh before finishing second in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Last year he beat all bar Henry de Bromhead’s Magical Zoe having had just two behind him with three furlongs to run and despite racing off 9lb higher, Keatley can see no reason why he should not run well again.

“He’s better than ever it seems. He lumped around top weight in the Summer Hurdle, 10lb more than he had the previous year and he was a little unfortunate to get beat as we probably just kicked 200 yards too soon,” said Keatley.

“I think he was giving the winner 17lb and it just told late on.

“He likes York which stands for a lot, it just depends what runs on the day but we’ll be hoping for a very good run.

“He was second last year in it, he was unfortunate not to win on his last run on the Flat as PJ (McDonald) got locked away on the winner and there was nothing he could have done.

“We’ll ride him for luck and hopefully he can win off the mark he’s on.”

Aidan O’Brien holds key to Great Voltigeur field

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Aidan O’Brien dominates the confirmations for the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday with six of the 11 entries.

His potential team is led by dual Derby winner Lambourn, who also holds a Juddmonte International entry, along with Aftermath, who has yet to run this season, Mount Kilimanjaro, Shackleton, Stay True and Thrice.

Paddy Twomey’s Carmers would be a major contender if he runs as he is unbeaten in three starts and broke the track record in the Queen’s Vase.

Pride Of Arras could return to the scene of Dante victory in May, although Ralph Beckett’s charge subsequently disappointed in the Derby at Epsom and was gelded following another lacklustre showing in the Irish equivalent.

George Scott’s Bay City Roller, winner of the Champagne Stakes last season, gets the chance to run over a trip his trainer thinks he will excel at for the first time while the Andrew Balding-trained Furthur and William Haggas’ Arabian Force, who was supplemented for the race, complete the list.

A total of 15 colts remain in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, that last year contained The Lion In Winter and Ruling Court.

Adrian Keatley has a very interesting contender in Rochfortbridge, a debut winner at Ayr when he beat Chesham runner-up and subsequent Listed winner Thesecretadversary.

“Taking him to Ayr was always going to help us decide whether he went for the Acomb or the Convivial Maiden,” said Keatley.

“We were delighted he put his hand up to run in something like the Acomb.

“The third horse has come out and won at Catterick easily last week as well as Fozzy Stack’s horse winning a Listed race since, so the form is rock solid.

“He was given a big rating and we’re confident he can go close.

“I was quietly confident we’d be second to Fozzy’s horse but it was nice to win and we’re delighted with him.”

O’Brien could run Dorset, Italy, Montreal or Neolithic while Charlie Appleby has Distant Storm and Pacific Avenue engaged.

Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not, who is still a maiden having placed in three Group races, Goodwood Galaxy, Hankelow and May Angel are others who have shown smart form already that could run.