Railway Stakes 2012

6.30 Curragh

Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Railway Stakes (group 2) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner €57,150

Advice: 1 pt win Pedro The Great (5/2 general)

Almanck: Form of 1^st start has been well represented by runner up since (twice a winner) and then ran out an easy enough winner of maiden that has since worked out well enough (Gale Force Ten since won maiden and then second in Norfolk);Should give this good go and 6f fine.

Ayaar: Shaped well on debut when making some good late headway into fourth behind impressive winner Master Of War at Haydock but never really looked like winning at Newbury and others preferred here.

Cristforo Colombo: Looked like one of the best early season 2 year olds seen so far when running out a ready and easy winner at Navan first time up and ran a screamer in the Coventry when running on strongly having come from nearly widest of all when third late on; Worry that could have taken something out of him late on.

Pedro The Great: Had no impact when fifth in Listed event on debut but showed his real self when running out a ready winner of his maiden at Leopardstown on soft ground, making easier work of things as he went on; No surprise to see him put up bold show.

Probabaly: Third in good maiden here behind Letir Mor and Lines of Battle at the Curraghon debut and followed that up with easy win in Limerick maiden; Bit of ground to make up in favourite through Lines Of Battle on C&D form but respected nevertheless.

Scotland Forever: Too keen on debut when showing nothing and outpaced around Epsom’s quick track (didn’t handle it) when

Tiger Stripes: Behind Probably to the tune of 2 & ½ lengths on debut here and then couldn’t make it as favourite when fifth at Fairyhouse last time; Needs much more.

VERDICT: With Ballydoyle having won 7 of the last 10 renewals lots of attention’s sure to go to Cristforo Colombo, and his third in the Coventry is the strongest form, but soft ground is an unknown for him and the fact that PEDRO THE GREAT was pitched into Listed company on debut speaks a lot for him, and his easy maiden win last time suggested that he’s group class. Probably and Almanck deserve respect here although the ground might be a problem for him.