North American Weekend Preview: Idaho bordering on Canadian glory

As is the norm nowadays, there is a strong European raiding party for Woodbine’s big meeting on Sunday, headed by a pair of Grade 1s, the Pattison Canadian International and the E. P. Taylor Stakes. Those races are ably backed up by the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes, won in recent times by the likes of Caspar Netscher and Serious Attitude.

The mile-and-a-half Canadian International is often a below-par Grade 1 in worldwide terms, but this year has attracted a strong field, featuring the likes of Dartmouth, Idaho and Erupt, to name but three.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Dartmouth has done nothing but improve this season - as is often the way with older horses from this yard - winning a pair of Group 3s at Chelmsford and Chester before defeating King George winner and Arc runner-up Highland Reel in the Group 2 Hardwick Stakes at Royal Ascot. Dartmouth himself was third in the aforementioned King George, when being held up in a steadily-run contest did him no favours, before running creditably over a sharp-enough 11f last time, finishing second to Algometer in a Group 3 at Newbury.

Erupt has been a tad disappointing this year, his fifth-place finish in last season’s Arc promising much, but he has so far failed to deliver on that promise. Erupt’s best effort of 2016 came when second to Silverwave in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, but he hasn’t replicated that in two starts since (including a disappointing King George effort).

2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist is a fascinating German challenger who is unbeaten in three starts since returning to his homeland from Australia. He probably needs a little more to challenge the best in here, but would be a credible challenger if forecast thunderstorms ease the ground and turn this into a stamina test.

The North Americans themselves are well-represented, with the likes of Wake Forest and The Pizza Man heading up their defence, but they, along with the Europeans, have it to do if Idaho fulfils his potential. Although not top-rated in form terms, there could be plenty more to come from the Coolmore challenger, particularly with the addition of Lasix and Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle. Likely to have gone very close if not for unseating his rider in the St Leger last time, Idaho’s previous form at Classic level in both England and Ireland marks him out as a very strong contender, the likes of which is not usually seen in this contest. Dartmouth will be a tough nut to crack, but the suspicion is he has hit his ceiling, whereas there could be plenty more to come from Idaho.

The E.P. Taylor Stakes for fillies and mares earlier on the card isn’t of the same level quality-wise, but is vastly competitive, with just 7 lb covering the majority of the field on Timeform ratings. Again, this could well be dominated by the Europeans, with Nezwaah (UK), Aim to Please (France) and Best In The World (Ireland) looking the standouts. They are joined by John Gosden’s Swiss Range, who could still have more to offer, while Banzari and Parvaneh, from France and Germany respectively, complete the Euro challenge.

With such a strong hand, the North Americans are likely to struggle to keep this prize at home, with Roger Varian’s Nezwaah the one fancied to take the spoils. Her last run when second to So Mi Dar at Yarmouth stands out in this company, and a reproduction of that will make her tough to beat. Varian himself saddled Talmada to finish runner-up in this race twelve months ago, so knows what it needs in terms of the right kind of filly to send.

Mick Channon is a rare visitor to the other side of the Atlantic, but he sends his tough mare Divine over for the Nearctic Stakes. Divine herself is no stranger to travelling having competed in Germany last time and spent the winter in Dubai. Although she has a bit of an in-and-out profile, she has the form to win this at her best, and is likely to be a fair price against local opposition that isn’t the strongest.

Recommendations:

Back Divine in the Nearctic Stakes

Back Nezwaah in the E.P. Taylor Stakes 

Back Idaho in the Canadian International