Part of the Guide to the 2009 Flat season service from Graham Richards. Order your subscription online today for the full service, including newsletters and previews of all major events through the Flat season.

Arazan | Black Bear Island | Crowded House | Delegator | Evasive | Fame And Glory | Mastercraftsman | Rainbow View | Rip Van Winkle | Sea The Stars | Serious Attitude | Other British runners | Other Irish runners

Jim Bolger has some good three-year-olds once more

Jim Bolger looks to have some good colts and fillies once again. Intense Focus, the 2008 Dewhurst hero, was beaten on his seasonal reappearance; however, his trainer reports he has come on a good deal for that run and appeals as one to run well in a the hurly-burly of a big field.

Gan Amhras looks more of a Derby horse. Having won his maiden from Mastercraftsman on his second outing, he ran a solid when second to Soul City in the Goffs Million (Intense Focus third) at the Curragh. A son of Galileo, his dam stayed ten-furlongs suggesting a mile and a half will suit be well within reach.

Fergus McIver ran a blinding race when second to Fame And Glory at Leopardstown recently. He looks an improving sort who will do even better over a mile and a half. A son of Sadler’s Wells out of a mare who won a Group Three in Ireland over a mile and a half, stamina will not be an issue. The St Leger looks a viable option, even at this early stage.

Jim Bolger has Cuis Ghaire in the 1000 Guineas. If one forgets he run in the heavy ground on her final start she can be considered to hold serious claims. Having won Group Three races at Naas and Royal Ascot, she found Rip Van Winkle too good for her in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown. Despite going down by half a length she had to carry a penalty for her Group win, thereby nullifying the fillies’ allowance. If she returns to action in top form, she has to be considered a live each-way hope for the first fillies’ classic.

John Oxx has some exciting types

John Oxx has some exciting horses to go to war with this year. Mourayan ran well in the Ballysax when third to Fame And Glory and Angus McIver. He had a far from clear passage and the colt looks sure to improve a mile and a half. In addition, some astute paddock watchers felt he was the one who would come on most for the race. He ended his juvenile season with a win over Oh Goodness Me, at Leopardstown, who won a Group Three at Curragh in March in a good time. In addition, Oh Goodness Me is thought good enough make up into an Oaks contender either here or in Ireland. Prior to the Leopardstown race, Mourayan had finished just behind stablechum See The Stars in the Beresford Stakes.

Beauty O’Gwaun is a daughter of Rainbow Quest and created a good impression on her only run last season. Despite the heavy ground she ran out an impressive winner from The Bull Hayes (winner this season) who had run well behind Soul City on his previous run. John Oxx was unusually bullish after the race reporting, “She’s a nice filly who should be smart going a trip next season. That will probably be it for her this year. She had worked well on soft ground and handled heavy quite well today but she should also go on quicker ground.”

David Wachman’s Again looked a quality filly on more than one occasion last season. She is another who perhaps had one run too many when disappointing at Longchamp. However, she was particularly impressive in the Group One Debutante Stakes at Leopardstown, where she clocked an excellent time. She will stay a mile and a half and looks one for the Oaks short-list.

Kevin Prendergast’s Shimah won two races before finishing second to Again at the Curragh. Closely rated to some decent horses she looks an out and out miler and is the best horse the trainer has had for some time.

Aidan O’Brien has a host of possible classic horse apart from those discussed. Heart Shaped should run well in the 1000 Guineas as she looked sure to come on for her seasonal reappearance. Westphalia is likely to head to Paris for his Guineas but would have to be respected if diverting to Newmarket.

I would not be surprised to see Golden Sword winning a Derby trial before developing into a top class colt. He was unsuited by the slow gallop when fourth in the Prix Noailles at Longchamp in early April. Nevertheless, he has developed into a powerful looking colt; the trainer has run several horses in the race that have been beaten, before winning at the highest level.

Others to consider for the Blue Riband are Mastercraftsman, thought to have improved over the winter, and Age Of Aquarius who caught the eye in a gallop at the Curragh. Both possess form that suggests improvement will see them develop into Group One horses.

Grand Ducal disappointed on his final two starts. Nevertheless, he had promised to develop into a top-class horse prior to that and may have needed time to grow and develop into his impressive frame.