The Irish Field St. Leger 2011

3.50 Curragh

The Irish Field St. Leger (Group 1) (3yo+) Winner €127,600

Advice: 2 pts win Fame & Glory (5/6 Blue Sq)

Duncan: Quirky; best ever season last year, with a Hardwicke second added to with a win in the Foy on trials day; Not up to it in the Arc but boasts some of the best form claims and underlined those with win under penalty (battled well) in Yorkshire Cup to begin the season; Sixth in Ascot Gold Cup but clearly didn’t handle 2m4f and better when second to Opinion Poll latest; This trip should be perfect and good chance here.

Fame & Glory: Top class middle distance horse last year who has replicated that form at marathon trips, running out a ready winner of the Ascot Gold Cup after unconvincing trials; Same story again when unable to find a way past Fictional Account (who he is 2lbs better off with); Should improve for that run (his first since the Ascot Gold Cup) and the one to beat if back to his best here.

Jukebox Jury: Made giant strides in 2009 when winning the Grand Prix De Deauville and the Preis Von Europa, before finishing a very close second in the Canadian International and has found best for of late with a comfortable Group 2 win despite drifting markedly as field fanned out off far turn); Should go close here although he wouldn’t want to be going wide off the turn.

Red Cadeux: Always there or thereabouts when in big handicaps last season, although never winning for variety of reasons; Finally had things fall right for him when running out ready enough winner of Listed handicap and built on unlucky effort when miles clear of opposition in Curragh Cup; Not backed that up in two starts since and held by Jukebox Jury on latest running.

Waydownsouth: Admirable form before this season but has found life very tough since coming third in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Fictional Account: Ran a stinker in Ascot Gold Cup but proven she remains as good as ever when going down just a head to Sense Of Purpose and got the better of Fame & Glory in hard fought battle here latest; Not to be discounted but 2lbd weight turnaround might shift it to the former.

VERDICT: The talents of Jukebox Jury and Duncan are in no doubt but both will have to be at their best to defy FAME AND GLORY a sixth Group 1. The Gold Cup winner found nothing off the bridle when asked last time but there’s a feeling he’ll be fitter this time round while a 2lbs turnaround with Fictional Account, along with the soft ground he relishes (4 wins with soft in the description).