Pathfork

Pathfork was really impressive in winning the opening seven-furlong maiden at The Curragh on Sunday. This race receives a lot of attention these days, given Teofilo won it on his racecourse debut in 2006 and New Approach won it in 2007, and this is the race in which Sea The Stars was beaten in 2008. It is probably unrealistic to expect that Pathfork can get even close to any of those three in terms of achievement, but he could be very good. Jessica Harrington's colt was well supported in the market in the morning (he had apparently been working really well) before drifting a little on track as the money came for the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Robin Hood, who was obviously well fancied. And Robin Hood ran well, he took it up early and had the advantage of the far rail, but Pathfork travelled well throughout, moved up easily to join the Ballydoyle colt two furlongs out, then picked up impressively when Shane Foley asked him to, and came away to win by four lengths.

This was an impressive debut from Pathfork in what was probably a very good maiden. History tells us that it usually is, and there were some potentially smart types in behind. Robin Hood had run on well to finish fourth in a good maiden at The Curragh on Derby weekend on his only previous start, while the John Oxx-trained Zabarajad, who finished third, had been well supported in Sydney Harbour's maiden at The Curragh on Derby day. The right horses chased Pathfork home, and the time was good for a juvenile race. By the American stallion Distorted Humor, Pathfork is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Visions Of Clarity, who won a listed race over a mile in France and who is a half-sister to top class miler Spinning World. Consequently, there is every chance that Pathfork will be at his best over a mile in time, he will probably be even better on better ground, and he is a hugely exciting prospect. Quotes of 33/1 about him for next year’s 2000 Guineas are bigger than you might have expected.

18th July 2010

© The Irish Field, 24th July 2010

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