The John Moore-trained Irian found his form on this night last year to set himself towards the top level and the yard has every chance to do the same again with Destined For Glory in the Happy Valley Vase (1,800m). Although the race was not called the Happy Valley Vase, it was the same meeting at this track on June 9, 2010, that saw four-year-old Irian get his act together and break through in promising style. This time it will be another Moore-trained four-year-old brought in as a Derby hope,
The John Moore-trained Irian found his form on this night last year to set himself towards the top level and the yard has every chance to do the same again with Destined For Glory in the Happy Valley Vase (1,800m). Although the race was not called the Happy Valley Vase, it was the same meeting at this track on June 9, 2010, that saw four-year-old Irian get his act together and break through in promising style.
This time it will be another Moore-trained four-year-old brought in as a Derby hope, Destined For Glory (Jeff Lloyd), who should advertise himself as a serious horse for next season's features by taking a quality event.
Many punters will have their eyes pinned to Valley star Noble Conqueror as he hopes to take his 11th victory at the course, but the handicaps won't make it easy, with the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding giving away huge weights to some talented gallopers further down the page.
Destined For Glory has already shown his quality with a strong Sha Tin win three runs ago, before overracing in the QE II Cup at Group One level, and then finding Sight Winner's sectional prowess too slick at Sha Tin.
But there was nothing amiss with Destined For Glory's effort in defeat, still getting home in a slick 22.66 seconds at the finish over 1,600m.
Again, there is only Sight Winner and Packing OK to set any speed at all, unless Blue Sky goes forward in the unaccustomed role he took last start, so the lack of tempo again presents a problem for Destined For Glory, who can get a bit keen in his races.
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