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Bolger’s looking for a Guineas double Jim Bolger is
one of the shrewdest, most serious and most patrician flat trainers in
the world.
The Wexford man could well cap off what has been an amazing career with
a phenomenal double success in the Guineas meeting next Saturday.
Bolger described Teofilo as the best horse he has ever trained last year
and given that the Carlow-based trainer is notoriously media shy the public
comments should be taken as a clear message of the horse’s ability
by wise punters.
Bolger also trained one of the better horses of the last quarter of a
century in St. Jovite.
Teofilo drifted alarmingly in the betting a few weeks back after the trainer
admitted that the horse had suffered a training setback but all appears
well with the horse once again and he possesses the outstanding form in
the race.
The principal opposition to Teofilio was expected to come from the Aidan
O’Brien-trained Holy Roman Emperor but that horse has been prematurely
retired to stud so patriotic Irish punters will have to rely on Teofilo.
His principal rivals the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Dutch Art and Brian
Meehan’s Sandar Camillio have both been defeated this season. Both
horses are strongly fancied by their trainers so cannot be discounted.
Teofilo will be a very short price and it will be hard to oppose on the
day.
Bolger’s chances of winning the 1,000 Guineas also look strong
with Finsceal Beo. This horse impressed throughout last season but was
defeated on her last race the Goff’s Million.
The ground may not have been in her favour that day at the Curragh but
while she looks like a worthy favourite their may be better bets in the
race.
Bolger confirmed to The Irish Post this week that if his horse loses the
1,000 Guineas he believes it will be an Irish-trained horse which beats
him.
The only horse to beat Finsceal Beo is Miss Beatrix. Kevin Prendergast’s
filly won the Goff’s Million when at very long odds and will be
a great each-way price for Saturday’s Guineas. Miss Beatrix is perhaps
the best value bet in the contest particularly if there is rain ahead
of the race.
John Oxx has a very useful filly called Arch Swing whose form this season
is as good as it gets. She may not have quite enough ability to defeat
an on-form Finsceal Beo.
So a punter looking for a Guineas double might be advised to look at Teofilio
and Finsceal Beo for a win-double with Dutch Art and Miss Beatrix good
value for the each-way option.
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