Round Two consolidated his reputation as a Godolphin star of the future by landing the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh on a highly successful weekend for his sire, Darley stallion Teofilo, who was also responsible for the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner.
Round Two consolidated his reputation as a Godolphin star of the future by landing the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh on a highly successful weekend for his sire, Darley stallion Teofilo, who was also responsible for the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner.
Nothing could have been more pleasing for Team Godolphin in the build-up to Royal Ascot in June. Jim Bolger, Round Two's trainer, went so far as to comment: "He's everything you would like in a racehorse. If you wouldn't get excited by him, you just wouldn't be alive."
There is no doubt that the cleverly-named Round Two was impressive in Saturday's five-furlong Marble Hill. But he gives the impression that a step back up to six furlongs for the Coventry Stakes is just what is required to see him at his best this year.
Following in the trail of other Bolger-trained stars, New Approach, Dawn Approach, as well as Teofilo himself, it was no surprise to hear that Round Two is getting quotes from bookmakers for next year's 2,000 Guineas. He is among the very best of his generation seen so far.
Pleascach fought tenaciously to land the Irish 1,000 Guineas, holding off the fast-finishing Found, who made one last desperate lunge at the leader right on the line. The Godolphin filly Devonshire ran a blinder for trainer Willie McCreery in third, and gave a promise of better things to come this summer.
The winner, who is owned by Mrs Jackie Bolger, is out of a Thunder Gulch mare, who in turn is out of a half-sister to the dam of Spain, a Breeders' Cup winner. She has a pedigree that begs for a longer trip than one mile.
Also at the Curragh, veteran Al Kazeem took Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup, having been reunited with jockey James Doyle for the first time since the Irish Champion Stakes last September. The seven-year-old son of Darley stallion Dubawi was registering his tenth win in 23 starts. The Grey Gatsby appeared to have every chance but Al Kazeem was stronger at the finish.
In Paris, another highly-impressive Royal Ascot contender Solow easily beat his rivals in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.
Solow, who is 'flying' at present, remains on course for a clash with Able Friend, the Hong Kong champion, and Night Of Thunder, Godolphin's well-credentialed Lockinge Stakes winner, in the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race at the Royal meeting.
Gleneagles maintained his position at the top of the three-year-old milers list with a gritty victory in Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas. It is a natural progression to the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot for this likable colt, who is by Galileo out of a sister to Giant's Causeway. Belardo, the Godolphin entry, finished a promising fourth. The colt appreciated the ease in the ground, which he had been denied in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury. He is going the right way and should pick up a good prize before long.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the Chris Waller-trained Boban returned to his best with a brilliant win in the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane. The Godolphin duo Generalife and Knoydart finished third and fourth, respectively, and seem likely to figure in other major races over the Queensland Winter Carnival.
