Curragh 4:55 Result

This is a typically messy 18-runner Curragh maiden with lots of unexposed types, but Almazann stands out on solid, consistent form: 2-2-2-4 figures with an OR of 86, the highest official rating in the field alongside Leopold The First. Trained by Dermot Weld for the Aga Khan operation - a team with huge experience placing horses to win maidens - and ridden by Chris Hayes, a top jockey. The addition of first-time cheekpieces suggests they're trying to find the extra bit needed to get his head in front after three straight seconds. He's clearly working through the grades and finished a good 4th last time after a break in form-cycle, but the underlying pattern (2-2-2-4) shows he's competitive at this level and just needs a change to convert. Leopold The First (OR 87) is the market rival with a 22-226 sequence and course experience, but his last run was 63 days ago and he's already had 6 runs without winning - there's a query over whether he wants further or just can't find the last yard. Almazann, bred by Zarak out of a Sea The Stars mare (a proven middle-distance influence), looks the more likely to progress and finally break through. The Weld/Aga Khan team have a strong strike-rate in maidens at the Curragh, and the drop into a application of cheekpieces is a positive intent angle. I'll take Almazann to go one better than his recent seconds.