Duntle

Duntle, backed into favouritism for the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday, is a filly to follow now as she did really well to keep on for fourth having helped set too fast a pace.

She broke well from stall one and was immediately to the fore, but Princess Sinead soon came to join her and they just went off a bit too hard in front. The field was quite well strung out after three furlongs and several of those in behind were under pressure from a fair way out. On top of that, Duntle probably went for home early enough off that strong pace, and although she looked like winning having gone into a two-length lead with a furlong and a half to run, she was worn down just inside the final furlong and was eventually just run out of the places too.

This was a really good effort from David Wachman’s filly to keep on for fourth – Princess Sinead faded early in the home straight to finish last of the 10 – especially as this was just her third run and her first back on turf at three. She had won a one-mile maiden at Dundalk by a full 18 lengths on her previous run, despite being weak in the market, and she proved here that she belongs at least in this grade (Group 3). She can do even better with this experience under her belt, and an easier lead, or even being held up just behind the pace, should see her in even better light.

13th May 2012