Hold That Tiger On Course For Newmarket Aidan O'Brien is 'very pleased so far' with Hold That Tiger's preparations for the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas. After the Grand Criterion winner had breezed on the Ballydoyle gallops, ridden by Pat Lillis, who used to ride out Istabraq, O'Brien said: 'Hold That Tiger has a lot of pace and he has developed into a big, powerful colt. He came out of his gallop at The Curragh on Sunday really well and everything has gone fine for him so far.' Asked if he was worried that Hold That Tiger's slow start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile might be repeated at Newmarket, O'Brien said: 'Last year he was so pacey that we trained him to come out slower rather than quicker in his races through the year. So I wouldn't read too much into what happened at Arlington. Tomahawk, the highest-rated Irish-trained two-year-old of last season and a winner on his reappearance at The Curragh last month, is also under consideration for the 2,000 Guineas, although the Poule d'Esai des Poulains at Longchamp on May 11 is a possible alternative for the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes runner-up. O'Brien also named France and Some Kind Of Tiger as possibles for Newmarket, and Coral trimmed the latter's odds to 25-1 (from 40). Van Nistelrooy, who began last year with a trio of successes but disappointed on his final three starts when upped in class, is likely to be aimed at the Entenmann's Irish 2,000 Guineas along with Statue Of Liberty. In the fillies department, Yesterday, a full-sister to Quarter Moon, and L'Ancresse, who was bought out of Roger Charlton's yard last year, carry big expectations. O'Brien said: 'Yesterday has done very well since last year and is a bigger, stronger and more straightforward filly than her sister. It said a lot about Quarter Moon's ability that she ran so well in so many big races with the way she used to behave. 'Yesterday does like ease in the ground, so although she might go straight for the 1,000 Guineas, we will have to think twice about that plan if the ground at Newmarket is very fast. 'L'Ancresse hasn't quite come in her coat just yet and, while she is entered for the 1,000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown on Sunday, we see her more as an Oaks filly at this stage.'
