Friarstown Stud Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 57.15s

(2)

Ardhoomey^t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 110| CD

5/1

Previous C&D winner should find this much easier than the King's Stand at Ascot last month. Yard are in flying form of late and looks likely to be in the firing line here.

Form: 610-220

(6)

Caspian Prince^h,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 110| D

10/1

Dylan Thomas gelding is consistent with nine wins and ten placed efforts from 45 start on turf. Won the Epsom Dash last month and since run well at Musselburgh over this trip. Should go well.

Form: 375914

(1)

Spirit Quartz¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: Barry J Murphy| OR: 104| D

33/1

Close-up in fourth over C&D in the Rockingham earlier in the month, will have to produce plenty more on these terms to have a say.

Form: 674494

(3)

Marsha²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 116| BF| D

1/2

Group 1 winner over this trip in France to end last season, began this campaign with Group 3 Newmarket success and no disgrace in third behind outstanding Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot since. Boasts very strong credentials in this field.

Form: 1521-13

(5)

Hit The Bid¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L F Roche| T: D Bunyan & G O'Leary| OR: 107| CD

15/2

Just held in second over C&D in the Rockingham earlier this month, the Exceed and Excel colt has won over this track and trip in the past but faces top-class opposition now and is likely to find things tough.

Form: 10-6812

(4)

Alphabet^t²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 95| BF

16/1

Only a maiden win at Naas (6f, soft to heavy) to show from seven starts so far. Has come up short in Pattern-race company so far and not certain to be in love with the likely going here.

Form: 145733

Forecasts

Marsha (1/2), Ardhoomey (5/1), Hit The Bid (15/2), Caspian Prince (10/1), Alphabet (16/1), Spirit Quartz (33/1)

Very few of these would get within swinging distance of Lady Aurelia, which is what MARSHA did at Royal Ascot last time out. There was no disgrace in her third in the King's Stand and as a Group 1 winner over this trip, she merits total respect in this field. It will be a shock if the Sir Mark Prescott raider doesn't oblige but should anything go wrong, Epsom Dash winner Caspian Prince might pick up the pieces ahead of Ardhoomey.