Sapphire Stakes 2011

3.10 Curragh

Woodies D.i.y. Sapphire Stakes (group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €37,500

Pick: Hamish McGongall (win)

Inxile: 6 years old but evergreen as a sprinter and enjoying best season yet, winning listed races at Naas and Cork (twice) to add to his Prix Du Gros Chene win and Group 2 third; The one to beat here although he’ll face stiff competition with a penalty & others attacking him for the lead.

Artic: Looked like an exciting prospect at 2 when winning at Bellewstown and Curragh, winning listed race by 5 lengths in latter start before he racked up hat trick in Tower Stakes; Not gone close to matching that form since (apart from when fifth in L’Abbaye) but gets fair crack of the whip for the first time in a while today and on preffered ground, he can go well.

Calm Bay: consistent and has shown himself to be in form this term, runner-up 3 times already this year; That said held by Inxile on current form and with completion for the lead, probably not good enough on this occasion.

Hamish McGonagall: Formerly useful/high-class handicapper who made jump into conditions/pattern company last season with useful efforts here; Shaped as well as ever on first could of starts but well held in 6f Group 2 & Temple; Holds far better chance on fast finishing fourth in Chantilly Group 2 latest, and weighted to reverse form with Inxile from last time out.

Invincible Ash: Would hold massive chance if literally repeating her fourth in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, and probably needed the run on her seasonal return; Should go well, although does have something to prove.

Move In Time: Useful as a 2yo over sprint trips and has been in at least the same form, if not better this year, placing in Listed events twice to add to his wide margin win in conditions event; Copes with ground, running well and bold show possible.

VERDICT: Inxile is sure to make a bold bid to land yet another Group race to his tally but his penalty might swing things the way of HAMISH MCGONAGALL, who is weighted to reverse placings from their last meeting. Artic, who lives for these conditions, and Invincible Ash, the only one of these runners to have raced off the pace, are likely to go well in a trappy event.