Glen Shiel eyes Greenlands glory

PA Sport Reporters
May 21, 2021 3:38 pm

Group One-winning sprinter returns at the Curragh.

Archie Watson’s Champions Day hero Glen Shiel returns to action in the Group Two Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.

The Hambleton Racing-owned seven-year-old made giant strides last season, progressing from finishing second off a mark of 100 on the second day of racing’s resumption to winning the British Champions Sprint Stakes.

That was a first Group One victory for his jockey Hollie Doyle – which grabbed all the headlines – but it was no fluke either, given Glen Shiel had been second in the Haydock Sprint Cup on his previous outing.

While Saturday’s meeting needs to survive a morning inspection following heavy rain, conditions are not expected to hinder Andre Fabre’s former inmate, who won a Group Three over course and distance last summer.

She’s done it! @HollieDoyle1 wins her first Group 1 as Glen Shiel takes the QIPCO British Champions Sprint for @Archie_Watson at @Ascot pic.twitter.com/N4mufIwhTJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 17, 2020

“The Greenlands has always been the plan for Glen Shiel’s first run of the season, and I have been very happy with his preparation,” said Lambourn trainer Watson.

“The rain and the track hold no fears for him, and I hope he can start off his season by running a very good race.”

Glen Shiel has been a bargain buy for his owners, costing GBP 45,000 in May 2019.

Simon Turner, of Hambleton Racing, said: “Glen Shiel’s owners are buzzing to have him back in action.

“He was the only syndicate-owned Group One winner in Europe last year, and the dream is firmly alive he can be just as good this year. Archie is very happy with how he’s trained, and he should enjoy the ground.”

Paddy Twomey’s Sonaiyla, the David O’Meara-trained Summerghand and Joseph O’Brien’s Speak In Colours appear to be his major rivals – but the latter’s trainer admits the six-year-old grey has not been at his best this term.

Summerghand bolsters the British challenge in the Greenlands Stakes (Dan Abraham/PA)

“Speak In Colours has a great record at the Curragh, but has yet to hit top form this season,” said O’Brien.

“There was encouragement in his latest start, and he’ll handle this ground better than most, but he’ll need to bounce back to something like his best if he’s to win.”

The Lanwades Stud Stakes also carries Group Two prestige, with seven fillies chasing valuable black type.

Johnny Murtagh’s Matron Stakes winner Champers Elysees heads the market but carries a Group One penalty for that success.

Jessica Harrington runs Valeria Messalina, who was behind Champers Elysees in the Matron but had pushed One Master very close before that at Goodwood.

However, Harrington fears the testing conditions could be against her.

“She’s in great form. She’s got to start somewhere – she’s being aimed at Royal Ascot (Duke of Cambridge entry), so we really need to get a run into her,” said the County Kildare trainer.

“But I took her out the last time at the Curragh because the ground was soft.

“She’s never run on soft ground, and most of her family didn’t like it. So I would be a bit worried about the ground for her, but she’s got to get out there and have a run.

“All her form is on good or good to firm, apart from once second on good to soft (2019 Oh So Sharp Stakes).”

The Gain Marble Hill Stakes sees Aidan O’Brien’s Cadamosto reappear, having created a big impression at Dundalk in April, but he is another who has missed previous engagements because of soft ground recently.

His jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair: “He was due to run at Naas last weekend, but the ground got too soft for him, and there must be a danger of that being the case again here.

“Let’s hope not, because I thought he was very good when winning for me at Dundalk from a couple of horses with experience on his debut. This will obviously be tougher, but he looks a pretty good, sharp sort – and I am looking forward to finally getting on him again.”

Sangria finished only fifth on her debut, but Joseph O’Brien expects a much better display this time.

“Sangria is a gorgeous filly that never got much room on her debut at Naas,” he said.

“She’s a lot better than she was able to show there – and while this is obviously a big step up in class, I’ll be hoping that she takes a good step forward from her debut.”