Irish runners abroad this weekend: 'He was very impressive in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot' We once again have a spectacular weekend of racing in Ireland, England and France, and here is a look at some of the Irish runners that will be in action this weekend. We start off on Saturday with Haffner, who runs in the 13:40 Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes at Newmarket. Haffner is a two-year-old son of Justify who finished second on his debut at the Curragh behind the impressive Abraham Lincoln, who takes his chance in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, won in the past by the likes of City Of Troy. Haffner went off at 18/1 on his debut and was sluggish from the starting stalls before staying on really well to finish a respectable second. That experience will only help him and it will be interesting to see how he progresses on his next start. 16:00 Newmarket Saturday - Abraham Lincoln The elegantly named Abraham Lincoln is a two-year-old son of Wootton Bassett who fetched a whopping €2.3 million. He's related to Highbury, who was a smart colt for Aidan O'Brien, and he made the perfect start with an impressive debut at the Curragh. He broke well and tracked the leader before taking up the running a furlong and a half out, and he was not for catching as he eased to victory over stablemate Haffner, who contests the first race at Newmarket. Looking through the history books of the Superlative Stakes, the likes of City Of Troy, Native Trail and Master Of The Seas have won it in the past, and the Coolmore team will be hopeful that Abraham Lincoln can add his name to that folklore. He faces the challenge of the Charlie Appleby-trained Al Hudaiba, who is definitely talented but, judging by his three performances, definitely has his own ways of thinking. 16:35 Newmarket, Saturday - July Cup The July Cup takes place this Saturday and we see the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mission Central line up at 6/1. Since he was gelded he has been a revelation and it has been exciting to see him progress from Listed company to Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot when victorious in the King's Stand Stakes. Defeat looked certain for 99 per cent of the race but, under a powerful Ryan Moore drive, he got through and snatched victory on the line. It will not be an easy assignment against Commonwealth Cup winner Venetian Sun, but any doubts about the quick ground may open the door to rivals. Another Irish-trained rival is Comanche Brave, who personally I feel has a real chance under Billy Loughnane. He was extremely impressive when winning at the Curragh on Irish Guineas weekend and I actually felt his run in theQueen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot was a positive one. He was quite unlucky not to get a clear run when he was beginning to unwind. I can envisage the same traffic issues occurring at Newmarket, but he's a wonderful price at 22/1 to find out whether or not he deserves his place in this company. 15:45 York, Saturday - Iron Fist The Jessica Harrington-trained Iron Fist will take his chance in the John Smith's Cup under Oisin Orr. He was a fantastic third in the Keadeen Premier Handicap at the Curragh on Irish Guineas weekend and, although it looks set to be hot weather and extremely firm ground, this horse does have form on it and is ground versatile. He is a big price but is definitely a horse with plenty of quality and can have his say in a race like this. It's not often Jessica Harrington sends just one horse across the water, so it is one to take note of. 15:25 Deauville, Prix Jean Prat - True Love This is an ideal opportunity for Aidan O'Brien's True Love to add another Group 1 to her CV. The English 1,000 Guineas winner has been tremendous this season, with victory in a Guineas Trial at Leopardstown before taking out the English 1,000 Guineas. She then ran a fine second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas behind stablemate Precise and ran well again in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. This looks another opportunity for her in a race where she looks more comfortable with the trip. Thesecretadversary runs in the same race for trainer Fozzy Stack and will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon. He was very impressive when winning the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and has been a model of consistency all season, with victory at Leopardstown before two solid runs in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas. This is another crack at a Group 1 for the son of St Mark's Basilica and it will be interesting to see if he can progress again and defeat the Aidan O'Brien-trained True Love.
