Ahlan Emarati to take chance in Group Two

Chapple-Hyam’s English raider supplemented at cost of €10,000

Peter Chapple-Hyam: excellent record in the Irish 2,000 Guineas during the 1990s. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Peter Chapple-Hyam: excellent record in the Irish 2,000 Guineas during the 1990s. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Supplementing Ahlan Emarati at a cost of

€10,000 for today’s Gain Railway Stakes may be comparative chicken feed in terms of the elite bloodstock market but Peter Chapple-Hyam’s judgment can pay off with a valuable Group Two success at the Curragh.

Qatar Racing is the new challenger to the Coolmore behemoth and will field their near-€1.5 million purchase Cappella Sansevero against the Aidan O’Brien trained pair of War Envoy and Battle Of Marathon in this prestigious juvenile contest.

Richard Hannon pitches in Kool Kompany but it is Ahlan Emarati that looks an interesting contender considering how he overcame being outpaced in the early stages of the five-furlong Norfolk at Royal Ascot before running on to finish third.

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Resurgent Chapple-Hyam

Chapple-Hyam won the Irish 2,000 Guineas three times in four years during the 1990’s and can make a triumphant return to HQ today.

Extortionist was a Royal Ascot winner last year in the Windsor Castle and on the face of it looks to have a tough task in the Group Three Sapphire Stakes considering he only won a handicap at Newmarket recently.

But the three-year-old relishes quick ground, something that can’t be safely said about a lot of the home contenders, particularly Maarek.

Giovanni Boldini's third to Mustajeeb in the Jersey was a revelation and a repeat of that Royal Ascot effort will make him tough to beat in the Listed Celebration Stakes.

Shipyard is a speculative choice in the €100,000 Scurry Handicap but there looks plenty to like about Sparkle Factor's chance in the fillies' handicap with Leigh Roche claiming a handy 3lbs off 8st 4lbs and quick going likely to suit her.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column