4.15 Curragh
Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (group 1) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner €116,000
Emperor Hadrian: Taken long time to get hang of things (only broke maiden on fourth start, and not straightforward) so no surprise that progression has coincided with fitting of headgear (seventh in Norfolk, fourth in Superlative); This is a step up in class.
Foolproof: Stepped up on previous efforts when winning nursery at Cork earlier this month, but this a world apart.
Glor Na Mara: From a very high class US family (dam unraced daughter of minor US 7f stakes winner Angelina Capote, herself half-sister to US 8.5f Grade 1 winner Do It With Style) and comes with huge reputation, such that he made his debut in Anglesey Stakes (was just 2/1): Faded into last but only after travelling well for a very long way and should improve again.
Samuel Morse: Created good impression when scoring here on debut and has progressed since, winning 5 Marble Hill and coming fourth behind Strong Suit in Coventry; Has been rather disappointing considering that result since with seconds in Superlative and Anglesy Stakes (well beaten); Needs more here although ground will be more to his liking.
Snow Mountain: Danehill Dancer colt who has got better with each run, making all in maiden at Limerick in June before second in nursery here; Pacemaker here.
Strong Suit: Built on highly impressive debut success (made smooth progressive before drawing away nicely from Neebras; Railway Stakes winner 6l back in third) before winning Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, doing very well to overcome serious interference; Looked top drawer but form of Coventry taken some serious knocks, which is a warning to those looking to lump on at a short price.
Zoffany: Created excellent impression in winning 4 of 5 starts, looking outstanding in first 2, finding the hustle and bustle of Coventry too much at Royal Ascot (got badly hampered); already looking much better than that (back to smooth style of first 2 wins), making smooth work of listed a Group3 fields; Major player.
VERDICT: An intriguing clash of British and Irish form lines in a race that has served up Johannesburg, Mastercraftsman, George Washington and Holy Roman Emperor, but has been weakened greatly by the withdrawal of Dunboyne Express, coming her after beating Samuel Morse silly on soft ground, and Al Asifth, an interesting winner of the Rose Bowl Stakes. There is nearly always a buzz horse coming into the race and today’s it’s the impressive Coventry winner STRONG SUIT. There are reasons for taking him on at 1-2, but while the Coventry form hasn’t worked out, the main opponents here are all way behind him on form. Expect the biggest test to come from Zoffany, who is much better than his sixth in the Coventry suggests and will go much closer here.
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