12 TO FOLLOW FOR THE NEW

Karl Hedley with his dazzling dozen to make money

- Karl Hedley

Cheltenham, Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown have all come and gone and so now is the moment to focus on contenders for the upcoming Flat season with many top class races on the agenda ahead of the first Classic meeting at the Curragh.

I have compiled a list of 12 Irish horses that it should pay to follow over the weeks and months ahead, a few of which may well have gone under the radar.

Battleground – AP O’Brien

Battleground didn’t exactly burst onto the scene in an emphatic fashion last year. Beaten two-and-a-half lengths on his debut at Naas, the son of War Front was always going to improve for lightning-quick ground though. Considered good enough to contest the Chesham at Royal Ascot, he showed dramatic improvement to get the better of March Law and Seattle Rock to record a cosy victory over the pair. He built on that the following month when he was sent to Goodwood for the Vintage Stakes over seven furlongs and despite being badly drawn and having raced wide throughout, Ryan Moore was still able to coax him home in front of Devious Company and Youth Spirit. Following a three-month break, a trip to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland came next. Despite avoiding most of the scrimmaging early doors, he was always playing catch-up to the winner Fire At Will. Three lengths separated the pair in the end but Ryan Moore justifiably satisfied that there would be better to come. He holds entries in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas as well as the Irish Derby and should make an impact in Group One races this season.

Shandra – Dermot Weld