Tag Archive for: Adrian Murray

Bucanero Fuerte expected to relish stiffer test at Ascot

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Adrian Murray believes stepping back up to six furlongs could be the key for star three-year-old Bucanero Fuerte in next month’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.

The Wootton Bassett colt began the campaign with the third Group-class victory of his career in the Lacken Stakes at Naas, where he made all to hold off Jessica Harrington’s Givemethebeatboys by a head.

Following a summer lay-off, he was four and a half lengths behind surprise winner Montassib in sixth in the Sprint Cup at Haydock earlier this month before finishing seventh, four lengths adrift of Bradsell, in the Flying Five at the Curragh eight days later.

Bucanero Fuerte will have a little break as he prepares for the October 19 Group One contest over six furlongs, which will see him step back up to the trip which has brought those three Pattern triumphs, including a demolition of Porta Fortuna at elite level in the Phoenix Stakes last August.

Murray admitted that dropping down to the minimum distance did not work for his charge, who is currently priced at 33-1 with William Hill to take the Ascot crown.

“Six furlongs should suit him. The Flying Five was a bit sharp for him,” the County Westmeath-based handler said. “He was off, he was never really in his comfort zone.

“He’s stepping up to six now and six will probably be the focus. The six will be more his trip, should suit. Champions Day will probably be it for him now.”

Murray also has a promising two-year-old on his hands in the form of Hill Road.

The son of American star Quality Road blitzed the field on debut at Leopardstown in August, winning by five lengths.

It did not quite materialise when jumping up to Group One level on his next appearance, as he came home seventh of eight runners in the National Stakes at the Curragh.

Hill Road was nine lengths behind Scorthy Champ and Murray admitted his juvenile needed to “strengthen” before his next assignment.

“He is grand,” he added. “He did run with credit, just went backwards, so we are going to give him a break and give him a chance to strengthen up a little bit more.

“We want to give him a break because he is a bit weak. He needs more time, to be sure.

“We have nothing really pencilled in for him yet. We will wait and see how he progresses over the next few weeks.”

Murray also confirmed his talented youngster Arizona Blaze will head straight to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on November 1.



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California Dreamer being primed for Moyglare task

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California Dreamer will step up in trip when set the task of shedding her maiden status in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh next month.

Despite yet being able to find the scoresheet, Adrian Murray’s young filly has proven a consistent performer in some red-hot events, only once finishing outside of the top three in five starts.

The Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar-owned daughter of Mehmas has placed efforts in both the Airlie Stud Stakes and Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh to her name and will attempt to finally get her head in front at the Kildare track when moving up to seven furlongs for Group One action on September 15.

Having been given a well-earned rest following her fine effort behind Ger Lyons’ subsequent Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche most recently, connections are relishing the prospect of moving up in trip for a race the owners finished third in with Ornellaia 12 months ago.

“She’s on a break and we’re freshening her up for the Moyglare,” said Murray.

“We’re going to move her up to seven furlongs and we think she will be better over seven, she probably wants seven.

“She’s being doing really well and rattling the crossbar for a few runs and she’s a good filly.

“But we do think a step up in trip will improve her again.”



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Moss Tucker in good shape for defence of Curragh title

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Moss Tucker will make the short journey from Osborne Lodge to defend the FBD Hotels And Resorts Heritage Hotel Phoenix Sprint Stakes crown he won 12 months ago at the Curragh.

Trained by Ken Condon, whose training base is situated less than two miles from the Kildare track, the six-year-old made all to secure the Group Three title by two and a quarter lengths before dropping back in trip to win the Flying Five Stakes at the same venue a month later.

A tilt at the Prix de l’Abbaye wrapped up his 2023 campaign, resulting in a midfield finish, before claiming Listed honours under a penalty at Naas in March.

Moss Tucker has not been seen since finishing seventh in the Greenlands Stakes in May and Condon is relishing his return this weekend with a busy autumn campaign lined up.

Moss Tucker wins the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes in 2023
Moss Tucker, second right, followed up his Phoenix Sprint Stakes win with victory in the Flying Five Stakes at Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

“He seems fine. He had an aborted trip to Goodwood, there was rain forecast that didn’t materialise,” Condon said.

“It’s (Curragh) a different track, just the layout, we had a bit of rain earlier in the week so I’m sure it will be great and with the autumn campaign in mind he hasn’t raced for quite some time. There’s a couple of big targets and you’d like to get a race under his belt.

“He’s been ready to go a couple of times and the ground has just dictated it. He’s in good shape, he does run well at the Curragh and has done in the past. I’m hoping he can put up a good performance.”

Connections of Electric Storm are anticipating another strong performance when she makes the trip across the Irish Sea.

The James Tate-trained filly, who won both starts as a three-year-old, has been productive since stepping up to black-type races this campaign, which began with a runner-up finish in the Lansdown Stakes at Bath in April.

She claimed her first success at Listed level in the Cecil Frail at Haydock in May, before being headed by Shouldvebeenaring in the closing stages of a Group Three at Deauville last month.

Ryan Moore was aboard the four-year-old for her narrow defeat last time out and the pair are reunited at the Curragh as she looks to stamp her mark in Group company.

Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager to owner Saeed Manana, believes Electric Storm will only improve ahead of her sixth career start.

“She’s an improving filly and she got nabbed the last stride at Deauville last time, I thought she had won there. She ran a really great race,” Robinson said.

“That was Ryan’s first time on her and he will probably have learned a bit more about her going forward to this weekend.

“I don’t know how good she could end up being, but she’s very progressive and I like her a lot. She’s getting better and better every time and it should be perfect ground, I’m looking forward to watching her.”

Big-spending Wathnan Racing are hoping to build on their impressive week at Goodwood, with Archie Watson’s Shartash running in the six-furlong contest.

The four-year-old was five and a quarter lengths behind winner Khaadem in eighth on his Wathnan debut at Royal Ascot, but got much closer last time out when headed close to the line by Shouldvebeenaring and Electric Storm at Deauville in July.

“Shartash is obviously coming back in class a little bit,” Wathnan’s European racing adviser Richard Brown said.

“We would probably have preferred a bit more rain, but I don’t think it will be rattling and we’re happy for him to take his chance.”

Adrian Murray admitted Valiant Force is an unknown quantity after finishing down the field in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last month.

“He’s been disappointing his last two runs and he will run if it’s quick ground. If it turns soft we might pull him out as he doesn’t enjoy soft ground,” Murray said.

“He’s very good at home, but it’s a bit of a fact-finding mission on Saturday. He’s showing us at home he’s as good as he’s ever been so we have to run him and see.”

British interest is rounded off with James Fanshawe’s Kind Of Blue, while Givemethebeatboys runs for Jessica Harrington and My Mate Alfie starts for Ger Lyons.

The Charles O’Brien-trained Big Gossey is eyeing successive triumphs at the Curragh, Jakajaro lines up for David Marmane and Dylan Browne McMonagle rides Ano Syra for John James Feane.

Torivega, trained by Sheila Lavery, Michael O’Callaghan’s Twilight Jet and the Patrick Foley-trained Tango Flare complete the 13-runner field.



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Bucanero Fuerte likely to head for Sprint Cup at Haydock

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Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup has emerged as the likely target for Bucanero Fuerte, who has not run since May.

Adrian Murray’s three-year-old looked set to take high-rank among the sprinters this year when making a winning reappearance in a Group Three, having landed the Phoenix Stakes as a juvenile last year.

He was ruled out of a run in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot due to travel sickness and did not recover in time for the July Cup, but Murray hopes he is now back firing on all cylinders.

“Bucanero Fuerte will probably go to Haydock for the Sprint Cup, at the minute that is the plan,” he said.

David Egan with Bucanero Fuerte
David Egan with Bucanero Fuerte (Damien Eagers/PA)

“The season got off to a flyer for him but that’s horses, the best ones put so much into the training, they try so hard it is why things tend to go wrong.

“But he’s in great order now, he’s back doing a piece of work and we’re happy again with him now. We have the whole of the autumn to aim at with him, he’s a horse who likes soft ground too, he won the first day on heavy ground.

“The sprint division is open, there’s no star at the minute. Unfortunately, we had to miss Ascot and that race cut up quite badly, three or four came out of it.

“If he gets back to his best, he should take a bit of beating.”



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Murray bidding to retain Phoenix trophy with Arizona Blaze

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Arizona Blaze will be aiming to give Adrian Murray back-to-back wins in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Murray landed the first and only Group One winner of his career when Bucanero Fuerte beat subsequent multiple top-level scorer Porta Fortuna 12 months ago.

Arizona Blaze won the Marble Hill Stakes over the same six furlongs he faces this weekend before finishing a close third over five furlongs in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Last time out, he picked up another bronze medal in the Railway Stakes behind Henry Matisse.

“I’d say he’ll be going there with a fighting chance, he’s got solid form, he’s a fair horse. He’s a strong horse for a two-year-old,” said Murray.

“His good Ascot run was over five, so I’d say he’s versatile enough to do both; he’s a fast horse, he’s not one we’ll be looking to step up in trip, he’s a sprinter through and through.

“He seems to go on any ground, he’s won on heavy and ran very well at Ascot on quick ground, so he’s versatile in that regard too.

“It’s a hot race, it always is, you’re not going to find an easy Group One but he’s going there with a chance, you’d have to say. He’s well up in the ratings, he’s not the highest but you’d be hoping he’d be in the first three.”

Left among the 11 possibles are five from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard, headed by Whistlejacket, winner of the July Stakes at Newmarket. O’Brien has also left in Heavens Gate, who won the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas on Monday.

Richard Fahey may send Shadow Army over, second in the Prix Robert Papin last time out, with Adrian Keatley’s Francisco’s Piece another possibly travelling from the UK.

Ger Lyons’ unbeaten filly Babouche looks the main threat to Whistlejacket according to the bookmakers.



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Bucanero Fuerte camp have ‘loads of options’ to consider

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Future plans remain fluid for Bucanero Fuerte after connections were forced to concede defeat in the race to get their star sprinter back on-song in time to contest the July Cup at Newmarket.

A Group One winner in last season’s Phoenix Stakes, Adrian Murray’s charge looked a serious contender for the Commonwealth Cup after making a successful return in the Lacken Stakes at Naas in May, but suffered a bout of travel sickness after crossing the Irish Sea and did not line up at Royal Ascot.

There was some hope Bucanero Fuerte would recover in time to take on his elders for the first time on the July Course – but having now been ruled out of that prestigious contest too, Murray is unsure at this stage when his Wootton Bassett colt will return to competitive action.

“He lost a bit of weight (after travelling to Ascot) and we need a few more weeks to get him back to where he was,” said the trainer.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s the way it goes – and long-term, in October when we get soft or heavy ground, he’ll love that. I’d say he’s a better horse on heavy ground.

“We’ve got loads of options, so we’ll get him right and see where we go.”

Bucanero Fuerte’s upcoming big-race entries include the Sapphire Stakes and the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh later this month, the Lennox and the King George Stakes at Goodwood and the Nunthorpe at York.

The horse Murray is hoping could provide him with back-to-back Phoenix Stakes wins next month is Arizona Blaze, who having won the Group Three Marble Hill Stakes and finished third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot, ran another fine race in defeat when placed in last weekend’s Railway Stakes

Reflecting on his performance in finishing third behind Henri Matisse and The Strikin Viking, Murray added: “I was happy enough, maybe the race might have come a bit quick after Ascot, I don’t know.

“He stayed on very well at the finish and I’m happy with him. He’s come out of the race brilliant – he’s bouncing.

“He looks like a sprinter and he’ll probably go for the Phoenix.”

Another Murray-trained juvenile who was placed in Group company on Irish Derby weekend was California Dreamer, who was beaten half a length by Truly Enchanting in the Airlie Stud Stakes.

“I was delighted with her, she always looked a very promising filly,” said the Rathowen handler.

“I’d say she’ll improve again from the Curragh, but we haven’t really thought of anything for her yet.

“She’s had two quick runs now, so we’ll let her recover and make a plan. She’d be a certainty for a maiden, you’d imagine!”



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Bucanero Fuerte facing fitness race ahead of July Cup

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Connections are aiming to get Bucanero Fuerte back on track in the My Pension Expert July Cup, with this weekend’s Prix Jean Prat coming too soon after the setback which ruled the colt out of Royal Ascot.

Adrian Murray’s son of Wootton Bassett entered Amo Racing folklore as a two-year-old when amongst last term’s three victories, he provided Kia Joorabchian’s operation with a first Group One success.

His team abandoned the temptation to stretch out to a mile in search of Classic honours earlier this year, putting their eggs firmly in the sprint basket, a decision which looked a shrewd move when the brother to the Abbaye-winning Wooded made virtually all on his return in the Lacken Stakes at Naas.

That victory put Bucanero Fuerte amongst the favourites for the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting, but along with Simon and Ed Crisford’s Vandeek and Karl Burke’s Elite Status, he missed out on Ascot as Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin stormed to glory.

Sticking to a sprint schedule and on the road to a full recovery, Bucanero Fuerte could now get the chance to belatedly lock horns with Inisherin if deemed fit to make the trip over to Newmarket for the six-furlong event.

“We’re thinking of the July Cup at Newmarket,” said Murray.

“He won’t be ready for France (Prix Jean Prat). We’re aiming for Newmarket but whether we will have him ready in time, I don’t know.

“He will have lost a good bit of weight and we’re having to build him back up. We’re hoping to have him there, but there’s no guarantee.

David Egan with Bucanero Fuerte after winning at Naas
David Egan with Bucanero Fuerte after winning at Naas (Damien Eagers/PA)

“We have a lot of options for him if we don’t get him to Newmarket.”

He went on: “It was unbelievable to see three of the favourites come out so close to the race (at Ascot), you couldn’t believe that would happen.

“Hopefully we can go to Newmarket, but we will just have to monitor how quickly he comes back to himself.

“He’s been back home a week and looks well, but it’s just he lost a bit of weight and it will be how quickly we can get that back on and get back into serious training with him.”



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Bucanero Fuerte ruled out of Commonwealth Cup

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Bucanero Fuerte has been ruled out of Friday’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot due to travel sickness.

Trained by Adrian Murray, the Wootton Bassett colt was among the leading contenders for the Group One having made a winning return this year at Naas.

His form at two, including a Group One win in the Phoenix Stakes and a third place in the Coventry Stakes a year ago marked him out as one of the best of his generation.

However, having travelled over to England early, he was showing signs of distress and is recuperating in Newmarket Equine Hospital.

A statement on X from his owners, Amo Racing, read: “Unfortunately Bucanero Fuerte will miss the Commonwealth Cup on Friday.

“After arriving in Ascot yesterday he was showing signs of travel sickness and was subsequently transferred to Newmarket Equine Hospital as a matter of caution where he has been monitored overnight.

“He spent a comfortable night there and remains well this morning but he will be forced to miss his intended engagement on Friday.

“We now look forward to his swift recovery and the rest of the season ahead.”



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Dallas Star on the sidelines having met with Derby setback

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Dallas Star’s disappointing run in the Derby can be put down to an injury picked up in the race which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

A surprise winner of the Ballysax Stakes for Adrian Murray in testing conditions, it was assumed his finish in 14th pace was down to the much quicker ground.

However, Murray has revealed that while he was unsuited by conditions, he also returned with a problem.

“Dallas Star picked up a bit of an injury unfortunately and I’d say he won’t run again now this year,” said Murray.

“I know the ground had gone a bit quick for him, but he’s a better horse than that.”

Murray is looking forward to the upcoming Royal Ascot meeting having saddled his first winner there last year with Valiant Force at 150-1. He is once again on a team which could be as big as 10, all for Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing.

“We’re hoping to have nine or 10 going. Arizona Blaze will go, he’ll probably go over six furlongs in the Coventry,” he said.

“We’ve a nice two-year-old filly in California Dreamer, she’ll either go Queen Mary or the Albany and of course there’s Valiant Force.

“We’ll split him and Bucanero Fuerte up so Valiant Force will probably run over five with Bucanero in the Commonwealth Cup, but none of these plans are set in stone just yet, we’re still over a week away and a lot can change.”

Go Bears Go is now with Adrian Murray
Go Bears Go is now with Adrian Murray (John Walton/PA)

Murray also revealed a new addition to the team in the former David Loughnane-trained sprinter Go Bears Go, who had a short spell in America for Wesley Ward.

“Go Bears Go is with us now, he’s back from America. We did have him in a race the other day but I’m not sure where he’ll go, I’ll have to talk to Kia,” said Murray.

“Crypto Force ran well in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He finished in front of Elegant Man, but when we galloped them the week before Elegant Man galloped all over him. Unfortunately for him the ground went against him, he’d have been all right the day before, but it was just a little soft for him. There’s every chance he’ll get his ground at Ascot, possibly in the Hardwicke.”



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Murray backing Dallas Star to belie Derby longshot status

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Adrian Murray does not believe Dallas Star is a complete no-hoper in the Betfred Derby despite his big odds.

A 40-1 chance with the sponsors even though he won the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown by three lengths, Murray feels he is being underestimated.

Part of the reason may be that he was an even bigger price that day at 50-1 on his first run for Murray since leaving Dominic Ffrench Davis, and also possibly because his victory in early April already seems a long time ago.

For Murray, though, who enjoyed Royal Ascot success with 150-1 chance Valiant Force last year, just being involved in the Debry is a dream come true.

“He’s doing very well. The plan after he won the last day was to go straight to Epsom,” he said.

Adrian Murray with Seamie Heffernan after the Ballysax, David Egan will take over at Epsom
Adrian Murray with Seamie Heffernan after the Ballysax, David Egan will take over at Epsom (Brian Lawless/PA)

“We had never planned to take him to another trial and we’ve been very happy with him since. He’s improving all the time and we’re looking forward to it, we’re hoping for a big run.

“We probably weren’t expecting that big a run in the Ballysax but you never know with horses from two to three. Some will disappoint you, while some get you more excited, but he’s improved a lot from two to three.

“We think he’s improved again since the Ballysax. We gave him a racecourse gallop at Naas and we were very happy with him. David Egan will be riding, I would imagine.”

Murray went on: “For me to have a runner in the Derby is unbelievable. I’ve been watching the Derby all my life, so it’s going to be a huge experience.

“I suppose I’d be happy if it rained. He looked very, very good on heavy ground at Leopardstown and I don’t really know much about him on quicker ground, it was quicker at Naas on Monday but if I had the choice, I would prefer cut in the ground.

“I would be expecting that we have an each-way chance, he’s not going there as a no-hoper. We’re very excited about him, he won a recognised trial in good style and he’s come forward from it.”



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Elegant Man out to build on Easter Classic success

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Elegant Man is the star performer on a big afternoon for owners Amo Racing when he lines-up in the Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.

Adrian Murray’s son of Arrogate has been kept to a synthetic surface so far in his career, winning three of his four outings and creating a taking impression when making all under top weight in Newcastle’s Easter Classic in March.

He now dips his toe into deeper waters on what is also his turf debut and his handler is hopeful he will prove up the mark in this Group Two event.

“He’s been a very good horse for us since we’ve had him and he’s improving all the time, but tomorrow will be a big test for him on the turf,” said Murray.

“I think he will be fine and he actually ran in a schooling race there (at the Curragh) about two months ago and we were quite happy with him.

“He’s at the stage now where he’s entitled to step up and you would hope he will keep on improving. You would imagine he would keep climbing the ladder and he’s getting better with every run.”

Elegant Man is sure to be kept honest in the 10- furlong event with last year’s Derby third White Birch making the perfect comeback in the Alleged Stakes last month and John Murphy’s stable star is out to follow up that course and distance success.

White Birch made a winning return in the Alleged Stakes
White Birch made a winning return in the Alleged Stakes (Niall Carson/PA)

He finished a neck ahead of Joseph O’Brien’s Maxux, with the daughter of Frankel in opposition once again, as is Jessica Harrington’s Village Voice who was also on the premises in third.

Owning Hill handler O’Brien also holds a strong hand in the Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Irish EBF Athasi Stakes where Jumbly will attempt to build on her reappearance second in the Gladness Stakes.

William Haggas will saddle the raiding Doom, who finished last season by claiming Listed honours in France, while it is Magical Sunset who will represent Amo and Murray dropping back to her optimum seven furlongs after a respectable stable bow over a mile.

“She will run a big race I hope and she’s ready to rock,” continued Murray.

“I’m very happy with her and I would say this is her trip. You need to find out year on year if they’re improving or going back and we will be learning more about her tomorrow.”

Arizona Blaze (right) has Royal Ascot aspirations
Arizona Blaze (right) has Royal Ascot aspirations (Damien Eagers/PA)

Arizona Blaze got the season off to a blistering start for Amo and Murray when impressing in a course and distance maiden in March and connections now have Royal Ascot in mind as the precocious son of Sergei Prokofiev goes for Listed glory in the GAIN First Flier Stakes.

Murray added: “I think he will run a huge race tomorrow. The sire has started well and is flying and Arizona Blaze looks a real nice horse.

“You would expect he will improve from his debut and he is one we will definitely be targeting Royal Ascot with.

“We will be hoping he is good enough to win on Monday.”

Arizona Blaze’s chief rival looks to be the Aidan O’Brien-trained Whistlejacket, with the handler seeking his third straight victory in the race, while the master of Ballydoyle also holds a strong hand in the Listed Coolmore Stud Paddington Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes with Leopardstown runner-up Samuel Colt.



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Bucanero Fuerte set to skip Guineas with Ascot sprint preferred

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Bucanero Fuerte will be campaigned as a sprinter in the early part of the season, with connections foregoing a shot at the Qipco 2000 Guineas in favour of heading to Royal Ascot Trials day next Wednesday.

Adrian Murray’s son of Wootton Bassett was a high-class juvenile last term, winning three of his five starts and giving owners Amo Racing a first Group One success when blitzing the field in the Phoenix Stakes.

He was somewhat found out when upped to seven furlongs for the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes in his final start at two and having excelled over shorter, his team are now resisting the temptation to head to an early-season Classic over a mile.

He is pencilled in to return to the scene of his fine Coventry Stakes third for the Group Three Ascot Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes, which is also known as the Pavilion Stakes and serves as the perfect starting point for three-year-old sprinters aiming to return for the Royal meeting.

Murray said: “Bucanero goes to Ascot, he’s in the six-furlong race. It’s highly unlikely he will go for the Guineas.

“We’re going to campaign him as a sprinter, his brother (Wooded) won a Group One over five furlongs and he shows us an awful lot of speed. The Guineas could just kill him in the last couple of furlongs.”

Meanwhile, running plans for Amo Racing’s star performer King Of Steel could determine where impressive All-Weather Championships Finals Day scorer Elegant Man is seen next.

David Egan after winning aboard Elegant Man at Newcastle
David Egan after winning aboard Elegant Man at Newcastle (Richard Sellers/PA)

The son of Arrogate dazzled in handicap company when making all in Newcastle’s Easter Classic and is now set for Group One competition on his next start.

“He will be going for the Tattersalls Gold Cup or the Coronation Cup at Epsom,” continued Murray.

“It will depend on where they go with King Of Steel as he’s in the two of them and we will be avoiding him. Whichever he doesn’t go for, we would go for.

“Kia (Joorabchian, owner) has a good hand and some nice horses. We’ve got a great summer to hopefully look forward to.”



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Ballysax scorer Dallas Star added to Derby field

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Adrian Murray’s impressive Ballysax Stakes winner Dallas Star has been given the option of lining up in the Betfred Derby having been added to the Epsom Classic at Wednesday’s second entry stage.

The son of Cloth Of Stars won one of his five starts for Dominic Ffrench Davis last season, acquitting himself well when upped to Group company in the Zetland Stakes at the end of the year.

However, he took his form to a new level when reappearing for his new training team in Leopardstown’s early-season Derby trial, springing a 50-1 shock in the hands of Seamie Heffernan and handing some well-regarded colts a convincing beating.

He already holds an entry for the Curragh’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, but is now also in the picture for the Epsom equivalent after connections paid the £12,000 to add the Amo Racing-owned three-year-old to the line-up.

“It’s unbelievable and the last day he was very good and has to deserve his chance for going at something like the Derby, so it’s an exciting time,” said Murray.

“He’s done very well since his race and we’re very, very happy with him, he’s progressing nicely.

“I don’t know if he will run again before the Derby and I’ll have a chat with Kia (Joorabchian, owner) and Robson (Aguiar) and see what they think. Kia is the owner at the end of the day and the main thing is we have him in the Derby, that’s his main target.

“We did have him in the German Derby, but we took him out of that. So he’s going to be going for the English and Irish Derbies now, all being well. He’s all class and a lovely horse.”

Charlie Appleby’s Hidden Law was also added to the Derby picture following a taking victory at Newbury on Saturday, while 69 remain in the race with 22 trained in Ireland and Andre Fabre’s Roadshow the sole French-trained possible.

Five departed the scene on Wednesday with Paddy Twomey’s Deepone and Aidan O’Brien’s Navy Seal taken out, along with internationally-trained trio Alrazeen, Common Defense and Justin Milano.



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Exciting big-race options are open to Elegant Man

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Elegant Man has the Lockinge and Coronation Cup as options after his Good Friday triumph was followed by a boost from the Middle East.

The Amo Racing-owned four-year-old ran three times through the winter, winning twice at Dundalk and coming home second behind Rebel’s Romance in the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton.

The impression he made in those runs left him carrying top-weight at Newcastle, where he ran in the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance from a wide draw in stall 14.

Neither factor was a hindrance to him in the 10-furlong contest, however, and under David Egan he was an impressive winner when crossing the line a length and a half ahead of Mick Appleby’s Penzance.

Adrian Murray (left) with David Egan and Elegant Man
Adrian Murray (left) with David Egan and Elegant Man (Richard Sellers/PA)

“It was a big run, but we were expecting a big run and he didn’t fail to deliver – he’s a right nice horse,” said trainer Adrian Murray.

A son of the late American superstar Arrogate, Elegant Man’s form was quickly boosted the following day when Rebel’s Romance struck at Group One level to take the Sheema Classic at the Dubai World Cup meeting, a two-length victory that reflects very well on Elegant Man after their meeting at Kempton.

“It’s huge, a huge boost. The day when we met that horse we were very, very green, it was only the second time he’d ever seen a racecourse,” Murray added.

Elegant Man is entered in the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday but will not run, and is instead likely to be aimed at either the Coronation Cup or the Lockinge.

“I entered him this morning for the Coronation Cup and he’s entered at Newbury over a mile, too,” said his trainer.

“He’s entered in the Curragh on Saturday but he won’t go there, the race will come up a bit quick for him so we’ll freshen him up again.”

Bucanero Fuerte winning the Phoenix Stakes
Bucanero Fuerte winning the Phoenix Stakes (Brian Lawless/PA)

Murray also trains Bucanero Fuerte for Amo Racing, a Wootton Bassett colt who won the Railway and the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last year and was third in both the Coventry and the National Stakes.

He holds an entry for the English and the Irish Guineas, but may head to Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup Trial in preparation for the Commonwealth Cup itself at the Royal meeting in June.

“He’s getting on great, we’re very happy with him,” Murray said.

“He’ll go for the Guineas or he’ll go for a race at Ascot, a prep race for Royal Ascot over six furlongs.”



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Easter Classic contender Penzance still improving

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Penzance bids to put the seal on a prolific winter campaign by securing top honours in the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic at Newcastle on Good Friday.

A five-race maiden when changing hands for 31,000 guineas last July, the grey has proved another shrewd purchase for trainer Mick Appleby and successful owners The Horse Watchers, with a promising effort on his Wolverhampton debut for new connections followed by four successive victories.

There is no doubt he faces a rise in class on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, but Appleby is confident of another bold showing in Gosforth Park’s £200,000 feature.

“He has just kept improving every time and was really impressive last time, so I think he should have a really good chance,” said the trainer.

“He’s in good order and he would be our best chance of a winner on Friday.

“Every run he’s had, he’s improved and it will be interesting to see how he goes when we switch him to the turf. He’s one to look forward to.”

Part-owner Chris Dixon added: “It will be his most difficult task so far, but he seems to have improved again from his last run. Ali (Rawlinson) has been riding him at home, as well as on the track, and is very happy with him.

“It will be a red-hot race given the money and quality of horse on offer. I don’t think he has reached his cap yet, but there are probably other horses who are in the same boat.”

Oh So Grand winning the Winter Oaks at Lingfield
Oh So Grand winning the Winter Oaks at Lingfield (Steven Paston/PA)

Penzance’s former trainers Simon and Ed Crisford are represented by both Oh So Grand and Base Note, with the former very much the stable’s first string as she looks to supplement victories in the Winter Oaks Trial and the Winter Oaks at Lingfield.

“Oh So Grand has had a very good winter and remains in good form for this race. She will need to improve again, but we think there is more to come from her,” said Simon Crisford.

“Base Note found life a little tougher in a handicap last time, but he has been working well recently and loves the all-weather.”

Irish hopes are carried by the Adrian Murray-trained Elegant Man, who has won twice at Dundalk either side of chasing home Breeders’ Cup and multiple Group One winner Rebel’s Romance in the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton in December.

Murray said: “We had him entered to go to Dubai, but it looked like he wasn’t going to get in the race and this was the alternative.

“He’s only had the three runs and he’s an improving horse, I think down the road he’s an exciting horse. It’s a big pot on Friday and down the line hopefully he’ll be going into Group races, we think he’s that category of a horse that is potentially good enough to do that.”

Hooking is an interesting contender from France, not least because he is owned by international footballer Antoine Griezmann, who was named man of the match when Les Bleus won the 2018 World Cup final.

Although considerably older than most of his rivals at the age of eight, Philippe Decouz’s raider has proved himself as good as ever by winning two Listed prizes since the turn of the year.

Decouz said: “Hooking has been in my yard for seven years now, so we have a long history! He is in remarkable condition for an eight-year-old, we have always looked after him and given him breaks.

Antoine Griezmann owns Hooking
Antoine Griezmann owns Hooking (Martin Rickett/PA)

“He is in top form. The race at Newcastle was a logical choice following his winter programme. He doesn’t go on heavy ground and so there is not a race for him in France at the moment.

“This is a first runner in the UK for his owner Antoine Griezmann and also for me. It is a great challenge.”

Other contenders include the William Haggas-trained To Catch A Thief, Simon Pearce’s Storm Catcher and Teumessias Fox from Andrew Balding’s yard, all previous winners over the course and distance.

Balding said of the latter, who was last seen impressing at Kempton in late January: “He is coming in fresh, which I think is a bonus for him as his record after a break is pretty good.

“The only issue is that he is very high in the weights now for winning last time, so it won’t be easy.”



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