Juvenile Watch: Curragh winner appeals ante-post at 14-1

I was deeply impressed by True Love in the GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday. 

A winner of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot over five-furlongs on her previous start, she arrived at The Curragh with a question mark over whether she would be as effective over the six-furlong trip, having been run down by stable mate, and future Coventry Stakes winner, Gstaad at Navan when last trying this distance. The answer was an emphatic “yes”. 

She broke smartest of the four runners but was reined back by Ryan Moore and settled nicely in third, travelling with well contained exuberance. The final two furlongs resembled a piece of work as Moore edged her out to the right, and let her effortlessly draw level before needing to only deliver the minimum of urgings from the saddle as she readily drew further clear in the final furlong, impressing with her arrow like straightness when alone in front. 

This was by no means the deepest of renewals but the nature of her performance should not be overlooked. 

I felt Power Blue wasn’t suited by the track at Ascot when a four-length fourth in the Coventry Stakes, and feel he again gave his running, but he was nearly six lengths behind her. 

It’s often sensible not to take the form of small-field races literally, but I certainly am in this instance. 

Many firms cut her price for next season’s Betfred 1000 Guineas and she’s now a best-priced 16/1 for that Classic. That’s a price that makes no appeal to me whatsoever. 

For some time there appeared to be a concerted effort from Coolmore to stretch the stock of No Nay Never out in distance. It wasn’t successful and with the emergence of Wootton Bassett and others it no longer seems a consideration for running plans. 

As a result, Aidan O’Brien’s post race interview was revealing when he said: “True Love is so fast, we weren’t sure she’d get six furlongs.” So, while the 16/1 for the Guineas doesn’t appeal the top price of 14/1 for next year’s Commonwealth Cup certainly does. She has proven course form and has now proved she stays this trip and, therefore, becomes my first ante-post selection for 2026. 

This represents a significant drop in class for Do Or Do Not. Runner-up in the Coventry Stakes and then the July Stakes, I get the impression that he’s not been given the credit he deserves, possibly on account of the fact he’s a four-race maiden. 

I rate him and believe he’s more than proved his ability, at both Ascot and Newmarket. 

He was outpaced at a crucial time before finishing strongly. This step up in trip will suit him far better and in this lower class he’s also not likely to forfeit as much ground. 

The unbeaten Reciprocated will offer strong opposition but I’ll be disappointed if Ed Walker’s unheralded colt doesn’t win this. 

Exhibitioning (Warren Greatrex) 

A daughter of Showcasing, she made her debut at Windsor on Monday in a race won by the impressive (if slightly wayward) Come On Eibhlin. 

Exhibitioning broke smartly and travelled well on the heels of the leaders. She showed her inexperience, and a lack of a gear change, when taking a while to pick-up when asked for her finishing effort but was just beginning to stay on when lacking racing room inside the final furlong. 

Her dam was at her best over ten furlongs, so this six-furlong trip was always going to be sharp enough. I’ll be a follower when she steps up to seven furlongs. 

Rob Hornby told us more about Maxiumum Scepticism after he confirmed earlier promise with a win at Haydock last Friday.