15:35 Curragh

Sunday 13 August 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 11.72s

(6)

Beckford⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: G Elliott| OR: 113| CD

15/8

Impressive winner on debut over C&D at this course, but took a step up to impress in winning a Group 2, again over today's C&D. Seems highly progressive and form from that last win looks good; the one to beat in his first attempt at the top level.

Form: 11

(7)

Declarationofpeace^t⁵⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| BF

16/1

Ran as if something was amiss when severely disappointing in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Impressive winner of a Dundalk maiden (5f, standard) on his penultimate start and worth considering for another chance.

Form: 310

(8)

Frozen Angel²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 108| BF

16/1

Has more than held his own so far in Group company, including when only just failing to get up in France last time. Has progressed with each run so far, but was 2¾L behind Sioux Nation in the Norfolk Stakes and must reverse form with that reopposing rival.

Form: 91242

(5)

Helvetian⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M R Channon| D

66/1

Winner of a maiden at Bath last time out (5½f, good to soft), but this is a significant step above that race and he needs to take his form to a new level here.

Form: 91

(4)

Romanised^t⁵⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: K J Condon| D

8/1

Winner of a Navan maiden in April (6f, good), and wasn't beaten far in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot last time. Remains unexposed but hasn't proven himself at the same level as some of his rivals here.

Form: 17

(3)

Sioux Nation⁵²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106| D

2/1

Winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes last time having slightly disappointed over this C&D in Listed company on his penultimate start. Doesn't seem to have an issue with this trip and should go close if turning up in the same form as he did at Ascot.

Form: 32161

(1)

U S Navy Flag^b,t³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105| CD

11/1

Has seemed to turn a corner recently and ran a fine race when second in the July Stakes at Newmarket last time, and also bring C&D form to the race having won his maiden here last month.

Form: 433012

(2)

Actress²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105| CD

5/1

Progressive type who put in another career best last time to land a Group 3 at this course. This is a definite step up, and she'll need to improve again in order to pose a genuine threat.

Form: 212621

Forecasts

Beckford (15/8), Sioux Nation (2/1), Actress (5/1), Romanised (8/1), U S Navy Flag (11/1), Frozen Angel (16/1), Declarationofpeace (16/1), Helvetian (66/1)

The unbeaten BECKFORD has looked better value than the winning margin on both of his starts so far and is taken to make it a perfect three out of three here. Gordon Elliott's charge impressed over C&D last time when beating a couple of well-regarded types to win a Group 2 and with further improvement a distinct possibility he looks an exciting prospect who is around fourth favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas. Declarationofpeace's performance at Royal Ascot last time was too bad to be true and he could be worth giving another chance to, ahead of Norfolk Stakes winner Sioux Nation.