Racing Diary: Gossamer win will lift Leigh's spirits

Gerald Leigh is one of the finest breeders of racehorses in the world and Gossamer gave furthur proof of that when running away with Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

This must have been a great boost for Leigh who had to watch the race on TV from his home in Northamptonshire because he is suffering from cancer and was deemed too ill to travel.

Leigh, who is a very private person, has always been a man who has let his horses do the talking and over the years they have done pl enty of that! Barathea, who incidentally is a full brother to Gossamer was himself a winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas and he went on to win the Breeders Cup Mile. He was bred by Leigh at his Eydon Hall Stud about 80 miles north of London and he is hoping for a furthur 'pick me up' when another home bred Act One runs in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, at Chantilly.

Act One, who is trained by Jonathon Pease, is undefeated and after beating subsequent French 2,000 Guineas winner Landseer last time out at Longchamp is certain to start a red hot favourite on Sunday.

If he does win, and he should unless Mark Johnston's English raider Simeon proves difficult to get past, then that will be good news for fellow cancer sufferers for Leigh is donating half of any prize money won to the charity cancerbacup.

As for Gossamer her win on Sunday showed that she is absolutely top class. Indeed the handicappers of Europe rated her the best classic winner so far this year and she will now attempt to keep up the good work in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The ground in Ireland was bottomless and it should be faster at Royal Ascot next month if it ever stops raining here in England. But trainer Luca Cumani is adamant Gossamer will act just as well on firm ground and if she does then she will win at Royal Ascot.

Mick Kinane, who steered Sir Alex Ferguson's Rock of Gibraltar to an effortless success in Saturday's Irish 2,000, now has to make up his mind as to which horse he will ride in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday week.

He could go for High Chapparal who will act on any going and stay the trip of a mile and a half or he could go for Hawk Wing who has stacks and stacks of ability but might not stay the distance.

My view is that he will delay his decision until a few days before the race when he knows the state of the goung and if it is slow he will opt for High Chappparal and if it's fast he will go for Hawk Wing.

However there is a third alternative in the shape of Rock of Gibraltar. He is still entered in the Derby and if he is none the worse for his exertions at The Curragh on Saturday then Aiden O'Brien and his 'lucky' owner might reroute him to Epsom.Watch this space!