14:20 Curragh

Sunday 28 May 2017

All13:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:0017:30

Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 2m 18.03s

(8)

Deauville¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| D

4/1

Group 1 winner at Belmont last year and excellent winner of the Huxley Stakes at Chester last time out. Very game front-runner and interesting that he's the stable jockey's pick here. Won't get an easy time on the front end if Success Days turns up here though and connections won't appreciate the rain that arrived here on Saturday.

Form: 013-721

(1)

Decorated Knight⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 113| D

7/2

Four wins from his last six starts, the latest of those a Group 1 victory on Super Saturday at Meydan. Ground perhaps a little soft for him on Dubai World Cup night and that would have to be a concern again with the rain that has arrived.

Form: 121-116

(7)

Johannes Vermeer²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

8/1

High-class juvenile and won't mind the rain that has arrived but he's only been seen twice since 2015 and well being has to be taken on trust. Would appear to be down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 1421/3-4

(4)

Moonlight Magic²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 116| D

11/2

Proved no match for Minding when runner-up last time at Naas and has struggled in previous attempts at this level but this isn't the strongest Group 1. Has some form in softer conditions so not without a place chance.

Form: 06363-2

(2)

Reckless Gold²⁹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 96| C

50/1

Won a maiden here but outclassed in Listed company at Cork when last seen and likely to struggle again with over a stone to find on official ratings.

Form: 32/18-

(5)

Success Days⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 114| CD

9/2

Very effective in softer conditions as seen when winning a pair of Group 3's in 2015 and another over C&D in August. Only beaten a head on return at Naas last time and will come on for that run. Leading claims now the rain has arrived.

Form: 22310-2

(6)

Gentil J^t⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: H Rogers| OR: 84

100/1

Seemingly well out of her depth having only won handicaps to date. Won't mind the rain that has arrived at least but she'd need all of her rivals to under perform in a big way if she's to get involved.

Form: 6211-04

(3)

Somehow^v⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| C| D

4/1

Very impressive winner at Newmarket earlier in the month in a Group 2 and not disgraced when well backed in the Lockinge last time. This looks easier and step up in trip likely to be in her favour, no surprise to see her mix it at this level.

Form: 21-2114

Forecasts

Decorated Knight (7/2), Somehow (4/1), Deauville (4/1), Success Days (9/2), Moonlight Magic (11/2), Johannes Vermeer (8/1), Reckless Gold (50/1), Gentil J (100/1)

SUCCESS DAYS handles soft conditions better than most and he was only just touched off on his reappearance at Naas last time. Somehow is a smart filly and while she failed to land the odds in the Lockinge last time, she wasn't given a hard time when her chance had gone and she may do better here. Ryan Moore prefers the claims of Deauville but he's unlikely to appreciate the rain that has arrived.