Five go to post for Europe’s most prestigious 2yo race.
Yesterday the Fillies’ Mile went to Godolphin, with odds on favourite Musial Times beating Ballydoyle’s Haven, a 28/1 shot; not often you see that.
Today is a match-up, at least in the betting, with the two powerhouses pitching Desert Castle against Darkness Falls.
The twice-raced Desert Castle made a promising debut, winning a Maiden here on the July course in August over 7f as a 1/2f. He was obviously highly thought of. He went to Doncaster to contest the G2 Champagne Stakes, going off evens, where he won readily from Ballydoyle’s Sergei Diaghilev by 3L. He’s the current 2000 Guineas favourite for 2027.
Darkness Falls is thrice raced. Out first in July, he wasn’t fancied when finishing third in a Leopardstown Maiden over 1m. Five weeks later, clearly fancied and returning a 4/6f, he was an impressive 7L winner of a Curragh Maiden over 1m. He stepped up to 1m1f in the newly promoted G1 Golden Fleece Stakes; he obliged, winning 4¼L from a very promising horse, Jesus Green, who won his Maiden at Navan in no uncertain style during the week. He’s the current Derby favourite for 2027.
Both Godolphin and Ballydoyle are double-handed; Godolphin have Jassus, a Novice winner first time out over 7f at Doncaster in July, but he then disappointed when sent to France to contest the G3 Studs Prix Francois Boutin over the same trip, finishing last of five beaten 10½L. He’s since turned it around, winning a Novice Stakes at Haydock, going clear to win easily.
Darkness Falls winning at Leopardstown
Ballydoyle’s other colt is Great Barrier Reef. He’s the most experienced in the field, having had four runs to date. He won his first three: a Maiden at the Curragh over 6f in April, the G3 Marble Hill over 6f also at the Curragh in May, the G2 Coventry Stakes over 6f at Royal Ascot in June, then finishing a neck second in the G3 Round Tower Stakes back at the Curragh in August, beaten by a bob of the head, again over 6f.
Great Barrier Reef winning at the Curragh in may
Andrew Blading takes a shot at them with Gentle Hurricane. He won a Novice over 6f at Salisbury, then finished second in the G2 Acomb at York; then was no match for Desert Castle in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster when finishing fourth, beaten 6¾L.
Conclusion
If Jassas wins, the likely pace angle, we’ll all say Jaysus. And if Gentle Hurricane wins, we’ll be adding Christ,
The other three have it between them,
Desert Castle looks like a horse on the right trajectory for the Guineas. Doncaster was a last-to-first smooth victory. The performance of Sergei Diaghilev in the preceding race today will be informative.
Great Barrier Reef is all speed so far; stretching to 7f may bring out the best in him, but he’ll more likely ensure a high tempo from flagfall for stablemate Darkness Falls, who’ll be tackling 7f for the first time. He has to prove stamina isn’t his only game; he’s got to show speed too. The manner of his victory at Leopardstown, the ease with which he picked up, suggests he’s versatile as regards trip. Today he could prove he’s special.
Recommendation
Darkness Falls 7/4 win