boylesports.com Vincent O'Brien National Stakes 2010

3.20 Curragh
boylesports.com Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner €116,000 - 9 run -

Pick: Zoffany (win)

A Word Apart: Built on initial promise when landing a 7f Leopardstown maiden earlier this month; This much tougher.

Casamento: Wasn't extended when making all in a 7f Tipperary maiden last month, proving lengths too strong for Cannon Hill and winning with relative ease; Must be well thought off to go here but it’s a very tough test for him to make his mark in.

Glor Na Mara: From 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); Bettered that with huge run in Phoenix Stakes, only just getting caught by Zoffany and beating Coventry winner Strong Suit; Looked set for big things but has since been well beaten by Pathfork and then otubattled in very poor by Dingle View at 6f on his last start; Needs a lot more.

High Ruler: Justified market confidence at second attempt when winning Roscommon maiden in July, having previously been smashed into last on debut; Bettered that form when workmanlike second to Zoffany and respectable run when fourth to Pathfork last time.

Janood: Looked like horse with a future when not fully extended to get up in winning 6f maiden at Newmarket 15 days ago by neck from stablemate Busker; Stepped up on that when winning useful 4 runner Matalan Stakes, handling ground better than most (especially Zaidan, Chesham Stakes winner; Been supplemented from team who have good juvenile squad, so accorded a lot of respect.

Pathfork: Always been highly regarded by trainer and chalked in at 20/1 for Guineas when he created a big impression when landing a maiden over the course and distance that has made host of top-class performers, (Teofilo and New Approach among winners in recent years )by four lengths last month, beating subsequent Galway maiden winner Robin Hood and looking every inch a Group class colt; Confirmed that impression when sweeping Glor Na Mara aside with ease in Futurity and one to beat on that form.

Rudolf Valentino: Looked Group class when bolting up at Naas 2 starts ago, leaving decent field in his wake but disappointing when well-held third (Samuel Morse second) in Group 3 Anglesey Stakes and same story in Futurity last time.


Samuel Morse: Created good impression when scoring here on debut and has progressed since, winning Marble Hill and coming fourth behind Strong Suit in Coventry; Has been rather disappointing considering that result since with seconds in Superlative and Anglesey Stakes (well beaten) and another step backwards when fifth in Phoenix Stakes; Behind Glor Na Mara and Pathfork last time, so hard to fancy.


Zoffany: Created excellent impression in winning 5 of 6 starts, looking outstanding in first 2, finding the hustle and bustle of Coventry too much at Royal Ascot (got badly hampered; Unbeaten since, (back to smooth style of first 2 wins), making short work of listed and Group 3 fields before then arriving back at top level with a bang with Phoenix Stakes win, arriving fast and late between Strong Suit and Glor Na Mara to win going away; That win on strict formlines leaves him with a little to find with Pathfork but he has lightning turn of foot and worthy favourite.

VERDICT: A mouth-watering clash between the 2 best Irish Juveniles seen this season, in Pathfork and ZOFFANY, with marginal preference for the latter based on his blistering change of speed and his Phoenix win last time. Janood shouldn’t be ignored given the depth his stable has with juveniles (supplemented) while Casamento is no back number. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Glor Na Mara win but on all form he shouldn’t and doesn’t seem to have the attitude for it based on his last run.