Classic Hope Longlegs a Champagne Stakes Possible

Few people will probably have heard of the Aidan O’Brien-trained two-year-old Daddy Longlegs, a youngster who has been brought along steadily by the outstanding Ballydoyle handler, but should he head to Doncaster and win the Group 2 One Call Insurance Champagne Stakes then the US-bred colt could well be amongst the leading horses in the ante-post list for next year’s 2000 Guineas, writes Elliot Slater. Those looking at Betfair St.leger odds might want to take note.

Unusually for the O’Brien team, Daddy Longlegs is not a Coolmore bred being by up-and-coming first-season American sire Scat Daddy out of a Meadowlake mare. It’s a pedigree that is probably unfamiliar to most British racegoers, (Daddy Longlegs being the very first winner for his sire), but it certainly caught the eye of Michael Tabor, one of the triumvirate of partners at both Ballydoyle and Coolmore and whose colours the fascinating prospect will carry if he does indeed take his chance and head across the Irish Sea to Town Moor.

The exciting colt made his debut as recently as August 10 when he was sent off the lesser fancied of two Aidan O’Brien runners for a seven-furlong maiden contest at Gowran Park. Slow to leave the stalls under trainer’s son Joseph O’Brien, Daddy Longlegs recovered into mid-division of the 15-runner field before halfway then came with a sweeping run that carried him into the lead just inside the final furlong, from where he stayed-on willingly on the run to the line to record a length-and-a-half verdict over Outback in a manner that caused a few raised eyebrows amongst knowedgeable judges at the Irish country track. He is going to be very exciting for horseracing betting.

Expected to come on a ton for his debut outing and having clearly pleased connections, the step up to Group 2 company and the Champagne Stakes is a significant one, but should O’Brien send Daddy Longlegs across to Doncaster then he would be worthy of serious consideration.