19:55 Down Royal

Friday 28 July 2017

All17:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:2521:00

Her Majesty's Plate (Listed)

Off time: 19:56 | Winning time: 3m 7.5600000000000005s

(8)

Twilight Payment^p,t⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 108

13/8

Smart colt has finished out of the money just twice in nine runs, last spotted chasing home Order Of St George in Leopardstown in May (1m6f, good to firm in places) and brings leading claims into this.

Form: 121-232

(7)

Benkei⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: H Rogers| OR: 92| D

33/1

Poor on previous Flat run at the Curragh (2m) in June and disappointed again since over hurdles, seemingly lacks the class of a few of these rivals and makes little appeal.

Form: 780-530

(5)

Laws Of Spin^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J Smullen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 97| BF

9/2

Progressive on the Flat last year, winning all three starts over a variety of trips. Returned with fair run at the Curragh (2m, good to yielding) recently when 4L fourth behind Three Kingdoms in a handicap. Has to be considered for this representing champion jumps trainer with Smullen booked.

Form: 40/111-4

(2)

Motherland³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102

13/2

Poor over marathon trip last month at Ascot and has something to find with Twilight Payment based on previous outing at Leopardstown.

Form: 311-230

(1)

My Brother^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Kelly| T: L Smyth| OR: 84

40/1

Sole victory to date came in Sligo maiden over this sort of trip in June last year, not disgraced in a couple of Listed races at Ayr (1m2f, soft) and Leopardstown (1m2f, yielding) last backend. Has ran well the last twice since being gelded in Hamilton Park handicaps but facing stiff task now.

Form: 1269-26

(6)

Savannah Storm^p1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 102

6/1

Easy winner of Roscommon maiden (1m2f, good) last summer, has gone well in valuable Navan handicap (1m5f) and Listed contest at Roscommon (1m3f) this term and can run a big race with first-time cheekpieces on now.

Form: 310-23

(4)

The Tartan Spartan³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J P Shanahan| OR: 102| D

10/1

Two wins from eight career starts but has three times come up short at Listed level in Britain already and likely to do so again in this field.

Form: 86-3155

(3)

Grandee²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 102

9/2

Consistent sort that gained convincing Leopardstown win last month over 1m4f at Listed level, can be forgiven a flop since in the Irish Derby and likely to go well here for stable starting to fire in the winners once more.

Form: 31-6219

Forecasts

Twilight Payment (13/8), Grandee (9/2), Laws Of Spin (9/2), Savannah Storm (6/1), Motherland (13/2), The Tartan Spartan (10/1), Benkei (33/1), My Brother (40/1)

Twilight Payment is a rock-solid option here and seems certain to be in the mix, he doesn't seem to run bad races and deserves the maximum of respect as such. It might however pay to side instead with GRANDEE for the win. He was a convincing winner at this level last month before finding things too hot in the Irish Derby. This is more his level and the Harrington team are once again starting to pick up pace. Savannah Storm could have plenty more to offer and is worth a look while the progressive Laws Of Spin must also command attention representing Closutton.