The Northumberland Plate provided the highlight of the British action this weekend as the Donald McCain-trained Ile de Re powered through the gruelling conditions at Newcastle to emerge victorious. Ile de Re was not only completing a notable double for himself, having won the Chester Cup in May off an 8lb lower mark, but he was also providing his trainer with his second victory in the race in the last three renewals, following Overturn's triumph in 2010. McCain had already scooped the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle on Wednesday with the progressive Lexi's Boy, and these victories confirm the growing impression that he is a trainer to be feared in the big events on the Flat as well as over jumps. Much the same can probably be said for the admirable Ile de Re.
The Newcastle card kicked off with the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes, and Maarek made the perfect transition from handicap to Group company with an authoritative display. Having performed creditably under much less testing conditions in the Wokingham a week previously, Maarek relished the bottomless ground that Newcastle provided, drawing clear in the closing stages. The fact that many of his rivals palpably failed to handle the heavy conditions perhaps flattered him somewhat, though he is an improving type and should be respected, particularly under testing conditions.
The Curragh also failed to escape the recent deluge that has swamped most of Britain and Ireland, with the ground riding very slow as a consequence. Camelot's participation in the Irish Derby appeared to be in some jeopardy due to the underfoot conditions, but he was eventually permitted to compete and ran out a comfortable, if not spectacular, winner, providing Aidan O'Brien with his seventh consecutive win in the race. O'Brien has dominated British and Irish classics this year, winning six out of the seven run so far, and the St Leger remains on Camelot's agenda. A victory for Camelot in the oldest classic would make him the first colt to win the British Triple Crown since Nijinsky in 1970.
Royal Ascot two-year-old form was under the spotlight at the Curragh, as Coventry Stakes third Cristoforo Colombo lined up in the Railway Stakes. Although managing only second place behind the David Wachman-trained Probably, the manner of the defeat suggests it would be unwise to give up on Cristoforo Colombo just yet. He travelled like the best horse in the race, quickened to the lead a furlong out, but flattened out close home. It should be remembered that his sire, Henrythenavigator, suffered defeat a couple of times as a juvenile when encountering a softer surface, and it may be worth giving Cristoforo Colombo another chance once back on firmer ground.
The best of the ground this weekend could be found on the July Course at Newmarket, where the in-form Gosden-Buick combination notched a double. The unexposed Michelangelo kicked off the card in impressive fashion, once again slowly away but seemingly having learnt plenty from his Goodwood win as he travelled much more smoothly on this occasion. A step up in trip appears to be on the cards, and it would come as no surprise were he to represent last year's winning connections in the St Leger.
Polygon bounced back from a couple of disappointing efforts this year and, in first-time headgear, produced a career best in defeating Dandino in the Fred Archer Stakes. The race perhaps lacked depth, but she has her career firmly back on track now and it will be interesting to see if she can build on this effort.
The feature race of the Newmarket card, the Group 3 Criterion Stakes, went to Libranno, who was also successful in the event last year. He dictated a modest gallop before responding well to pressure and holding off his rivals up the incline he seems to relish. This was his third victory at the July Course from four attempts, his only defeat coming when fourth in the July Cup last year. Hoof It proved to be a disappointing favourite, almost certainly not helped by the modest gallop off which he refused to settle, but he may be seen to better effect here back in distance for the July Cup, in which his form from last year would entitle him to respect.
There was an international flavour to Sunday's racing, with Group 1 action coming from Ireland, France and Germany. Unbeaten since finishing third in last year's Oaks, Izzi Top gained a first top-level success when comfortably accounting for the Dermot Weld-trained favourite Sapphire in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. The Nassau stakes would appear the next logical step and, whilst she will encounter stiffer opposition, she is well worth her place in that company.
Aesop's Fables proved too strong for the British challenge at Chantilly, winning the Prix Jean Prat from Gregorian, who backed up his Royal Ascot third with a creditable effort in second. The winner was trying a mile for the first time, having run well behind Moonlight Cloud over seven furlongs on his previous start, and appeared to be suited by the step up.
There was a close finish, and a shock result, in the Deutsches Derby in Hamburg, with odds-on shot Novellist caught close home by the relatively unfancied Pastorious. The winner made his challenge alone, close to the stands' side rail, and got up in the shadows of the post to thwart the favourite.
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